Written answers

Thursday, 9 November 2006

Department of Finance

Departmental Staff

5:00 pm

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Finance the customs presence at all main airports including Dublin, Cork, Knock and Galway and the smaller airports and in each case to list the percentage of time not covered by customs presence; his views on whether this is a satisfactory situation in view of the escalating drug problem here and the need for this at our points of entry into the State, in line with our EU obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37349/06]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Customs Service provides a 24 hour-seven day presence at Dublin Airport. In the two other main airports, Cork and Shannon, the Customs presence is not on a 24/7 basis as the volume of flights and the risk assessment does not justify such a presence. For example in some instances there are periods of up to 6 hours where there are no flights arriving. In the circumstances the deployment a permanent 24/7 Customs presence would be neither justified nor cost-effective. In the case of both of these airports mobile anti-smuggling teams are however available to cover the risk outside of the hours where there is a Customs presence.

At regional airports and licensed aerodromes, flights for the most part are either domestic or intra-EU. Since 1993 Customs Authorities are not permitted to impose systematic checks on travellers whose point of origin is within the EU. In effect, intra-EU flights have been regarded as domestic since 1993. Selective customs checks of such flights for prohibited goods can be carried out only on the basis of "reasonable grounds for suspicion". Arrivals at regional and licensed aerodromes are assessed on a risk basis and Customs attendance is given in response to this assessment by mobile anti-smuggling teams (including detector dogs). In relation to the adequacy of Customs controls that are in place in licensed aerodromes, I can advise the Deputy that the Revenue Commissioners are already conducting a review of this whole area of operations. This review has commenced and will be completed expeditiously. The Revenue Commissioners also operate Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with licensed aerodromes in the state. These MOUs provide for mutual cooperation between the operators and Customs in the fight against smuggling of prohibited drugs and fiscal products both into and out of the State. Revenue's assessment of the risks of drugs smuggling through airports – and the deployment of Customs staff to meet those risks – is kept continuously under review. I am also conscious of our obligations to our EU partners in the fight against drug trafficking and this is reflected in the action points contained in the supply reduction pillar of our own National Drugs Strategy.

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