Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of checks for drugs carried out at private airfields nationwide; if drugs have been located on private flights coming into Ireland; the checks that take place at these private airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35934/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Customs Service has primary responsibility for the implementation of drugs enforcement controls at all airports and private airfields/ aerodromes in the State. I presume that the Deputy is referring to customs controls in place at the airfields and aerodromes outside of our three major international community airports at Dublin, Cork and Shannon.

The Revenue Commissioners have informed me that Customs controls at such airfields/aerodromes are risk-based and are carried out by mobile Customs Enforcement Officers. Attendance by these Officers is selective and targeted and is based on analysis and evaluation of national and international seizure trends, traffic frequency, routes and other risk indicators. Attendance can also be as a result of specific intelligence. Flights with origins and destinations with a high risk-rating would attract particular interest. These attendances cover the full range of flight times and are kept under constant review in particular to take account of emerging smuggling trends and any traffic increases at these airfields.

Since the beginning of 2007 there were 422 visits by Customs Enforcement Officers to such airfields/aerodromes. Drug detector dog teams were also deployed. There were 15 seizures of controlled drugs. All of these were small "own use" quantities and none were for supply.

In addition to drugs enforcement work, other duties are undertaken by officers in attending airfields/aerodromes including controls against the smuggling of excise products, the clearance of aircraft and passengers arriving from third countries, spot checks on EU flights, the verification of fuel drawback claims, the verification of end-use authorisations, clearance of aircraft under transfer of residence, and checks on private aircraft to ensure compliance with import procedures.

It is important to note by way of context that the operating environment for Customs has been shaped to a significant degree by the introduction of the Internal Market and the related principles of freedom of movement within the EU. Of specific relevance are the abolition of routine and systematic Customs checks on goods and passengers moving within any part of the EU and the elimination of Customs controls on the baggage of intra-Community passengers other than for anti-smuggling checks. This is particularly relevant in the case of these airfields/aerodromes where passenger traffic is predominantly intra-Community. In fact some of the smaller ones had no international flights. In this context, Revenue's approach has of necessity been to balance the freedom of movement principle in regard to people and goods with the need to control smuggling and enforce prohibitions and restrictions.

The Revenue Commissioners assure me that having regard to the context set out above, they are satisfied that their risk-based approach remains valid and their operations are on a par with, and may even exceed, those of many other EU Member States. I am also assured by the Revenue Commissioners of their strong commitment to playing their part in combating smuggling and criminal activity without unduly impeding legitimate international travellers or international trade.