Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of x-ray type machines capable of analysing the contents of a container, which are deployed at ports in the State; if he will identify such ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35567/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised that the Revenue Commissioners currently have one mobile X-ray scanning machine capable of analysing the contents of a container. This machine, which has been in use since February 2006, is used to scan containers and vehicles, including heavy goods vehicles, vans and cars. The mobile scanner has been deployed at the following Lift-On Lift-Off (Lo-Lo) container ports nationwide: Drogheda, Dublin Port, Belview (Waterford), Tivoli (Cork) and Foynes. It has also been deployed at all of the Roll-On Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) ferry ports, namely, Dublin Port, Dun Laoghaire, Rosslare and Ringaskiddy. Revenue staff operating the mobile scanner have been specially selected and highly trained in image interpretation and risk analysis.