Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 91: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of x-ray scanner machines at the disposal of the customs services at ports here; the plans his Department has to provide additional scanners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1205/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Revenue's Customs Service currently has a total of nine x-ray scanners.

One is a high-energy x-ray mobile container scanner which is deployed at the main container and ferry ports to scan containerised and vehicular traffic. A further eight low-energy x-ray scanners are used to scan smaller packages at ports, airports and postal depots, three of which are deployed in the ports of Dublin, Rosslare and Ringaskiddy. X-ray scanners are of course just one of the enforcement tools used by Customs.

The Revenue Commissioners are carrying out a review of the container scanner operation at present, including an evaluation of the current detection capability in this area, emerging technologies and an assessment of future needs.