Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 180: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the extent to which private airfields may have been used for the importation of illegal drugs into this jurisdiction over the past five years. [1006/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the control of import points, including private airfields, for the prevention of the smuggling of illegal drugs is primarily the responsibility of the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners.

The Revenue Commissioners are aware of the seizure of a substantial amount of heroin in Belgium in 2006 and reported links between that seizure and an aircraft based at a licensed aerodrome in this jurisdiction. However, I am advised that neither the Customs Service, nor the Gardaí, with whom Customs work in close co-operation and share intelligence, have evidence that private airfields have been used for the importation of supply quantities of illegal drugs over the past five years.

The Commissioners also advise me that while there have been no supply quantities of illegal drugs detected, there have been 29 seizures during that period, of which 11 occurred in 2007, by Customs of small "own use" quantities of drugs from passengers at some of the relatively smaller airports/aerodromes, including Ireland West Knock, Waterford, Kerry and Galway.

In 2007 the Customs Service carried out an extensive review of controls at private airfields and have implemented the recommendations arising from that review. The Commissioners are satisfied that the existing controls are effective and proportionate and in line with best international practice.

Both Customs and Gardaí meet regularly and work closely together to improve co-operation with the operators of small aerodromes and to help them prevent the use of their facilities by persons involved in international drug trafficking.