Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 167: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will list the private airports here and if all such airports are fully licensed and subject to full inspection by customs; the number of customs checks that have been carried out at each airport for each of the past three years to date; if there have been discoveries of drugs or contraband such as cigarettes at any of these airports; if so, the number of same and the quantities; the number of flights at each of these airports that originated from within the EU, the number from outside the EU and their destinations over this three year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4100/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It is taken that the Deputy is referring to aerodromes licensed by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there are 15 aerodromes licensed by the IAA for private use in the State. There are 11 other aerodromes licensed by the IAA for public use excluding Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports. In general, a licence for private use is required if flying tuition is undertaken and a licence for public use is required for public transport operations. In the context of the question it is assumed that the Deputy is also enquiring about these 11 public aerodromes.

The following table lists these aerodromes. All are subject to inspection by Customs. The number of visits carried out by Customs to each of these aerodromes in each of the last three years and the number, description and quantities of drugs seized are shown in the table. All drug seizures were small "own use" quantities. There were no supply quantities seized. Details of the quantities of cigarettes and other goods seized are also included in the table.

Customs have initiated a confidential reporting regime under the Drugswatch programme whereby aerodrome operators and other relevant parties can report suspicious activity. Under this programme Customs also offer advice regarding minimising the risk of the facilities being used by persons for the purpose of smuggling.

In relation to the number of flights arriving from EU and non-EU destinations, while the Customs control regime involves the monitoring all such arrivals, the definitive source of this information is the licensing authority, the IAA.

In relation to the Customs control regime in place at such aerodromes, the Revenue Commissioners advise me that this is risk-based and is carried out by mobile Customs Enforcement Officers. Attendance by these Officers is selective, targeted and predominantly unannounced 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 aerodromes/airports.

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. In fact some of the smaller aerodromes have no international flights. 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.

Revenue is satisfied that having regard to the context set out above, the risk based approach at these airports remains valid and their operations are on par with, and may even exceed, those of many other EU Member States.