Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review the operation of private aerodromes and private aircraft to ensure that all flights to and from the State are subject to customs checks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32695/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Customs Service of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs at importation. It has particular responsibility for implementing import controls at points of entry to the State, specifically at ports and airports, including licensed airfields, and on the land frontier. The control of licensed airfields in the State is carried out by customs enforcement teams. Those are dedicated anti-smuggling teams that focus on the smuggling of prohibited drugs and fiscal products.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that best practice in customs administration worldwide shows that the development of information and intelligence is critical to the detection of drug smuggling. In Ireland, this has become very important since the completion of the Single Market in 1993, based as it is on the free movement of goods and people within the Community. Because Intra-Community travellers have the right of free movement, Revenue has no power to stop them except on the basis of a suspicion, normally grounded in specific intelligence.

The Revenue's Customs Service is continuously engaged in the analysis and evaluation of seizure trends, routes and smuggling risks and consequential resource deployment. All Customs Service operations are risk focused, and staff are deployed to combat areas of greatest risk. Revenue constantly reviews staffing levels and structures to ensure that resources are matched to risk. The level of activity at licensed aerodromes is constantly monitored from a risk perspective.

In light of concerns raised following the Belgian drugs seizure, I am advised that the Revenue Commissioners are reviewing the approval conditions attached to licensed aerodromes including an examination of the risks attached to the operation of, and procedures attaching to these aerodromes. This review has just commenced with the clear intention of having it completed as quickly as possible.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for Finance the action he intends to take following the recent drug seizure from aircraft which initiated its flight at Weston Airport; if new customs procedures will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32838/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Customs Service of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs at importation. It has particular responsibility for implementing import controls at points of entry to the State, specifically at ports and airports, including licensed airfields, and on the land frontier. The control of licensed airfields in the State is carried out by customs enforcement teams. Those are dedicated anti-smuggling teams that focus on the smuggling of prohibited drugs and fiscal products.

The Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me as Minister for Finance to comment in detail on the specific operation that resulted in the seizure of a reported 50kg. of heroin in Belgium a number of weeks ago. The fact that three Irish nationals were arrested, and that the aircraft, detained by the Belgian authorities had departed from, and is based at, Weston Aerodrome are of major concern to the Revenue Commissioners.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners best practice in customs administration worldwide shows that the development of information and intelligence is critical to the detection of drug smuggling. In Ireland, this has become very important since the completion of the Single Market in 1993, based as it is on the free movement of goods and people within the Community. Because Intra-Community travellers have the right of free movement, Revenue has no power to stop them except on the basis of a suspicion, normally grounded in specific intelligence.

The Revenue's Customs Service is continuously engaged in the analysis and evaluation of seizure trends, routes and smuggling risks and consequential resource deployment. All Customs Service operations are risk focused, and staff are deployed to combat areas of greatest risk. Revenue constantly reviews staffing levels and structures to ensure that resources are matched to risk. The level of activity at licensed aerodromes is constantly monitored from a risk perspective.

For example, in 2004 officers attached to the Dublin Enforcement District carried out 12 planned and six unplanned visits to Weston. During 2005, ten planned and six unplanned; and to-date in 2006, 12 planned and three unplanned visits have been made to Weston. I am assured by the Revenue Commissioners that the monitoring of licensed aerodromes in the State by the Revenue Customs Service is in line with international standards.

In light of concerns raised following the Belgian drugs seizure, I am advised that the Revenue Commissioners are reviewing the approval conditions attached to licensed aerodromes including an examination of the risks attached to the operation of, and procedures attaching to these aerodromes. This review has just commenced with the clear intention of having it completed as quickly as possible.