Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners. However, the White Paper on Defence provides for a security role for the Naval Service and the Air Corps to assist and support the civil authorities in this important work. Government measures to improve law enforcement in relation to drugs, including the establishment in 1993 of a Joint Task Force involving the Gardaí, the Customs Service and the Naval Service, have helped to maximise the effective use of Naval Service resources in combating drug trafficking.

The Air Corps provide air support and, on occasion, carry the Customs National Drugs Team in an observation capacity for the purpose of monitoring vessels suspected of drug trafficking or other such illegal activities.

There is close co-operation between the civil authorities — Garda and Customs — and the Naval Service and the Air Corps in discharging this important mission.

The Naval Service, An Garda Siochána, the Custom Services are represented on the National Maritime Security Committee, as is the Irish Coast Guard. This Committee provides a forum for the agencies represented to share their information and experiences in relation to marine surveillance.

I am satisfied that the extent of Naval Service and Air Corps reconnaissance, in conjunction with the Gardaí, the Customs Service and the Coast Guard, has had a major and beneficial impact in deterring drug trafficking or other such illegal activities.