Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if an evaluation of coastal surveillance and air-sea rescue has been undertaken with particular reference to the need for enhanced activity arising from drug smuggling around the coast of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13770/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they constantly evaluate their maritime intelligence gathering and coastal surveillance activities. Revenue's Customs Service works proactively with an Garda Síochána and the Naval Service in the fight against drug trafficking by sea as part of the Joint Task Force on Drugs Interdiction.

In addition to national patrolling and surveillance activities, the Customs Service also participates in a number of international Joint Surveillance Operations each year. These operations have proved to be particularly successful in improving the sharing of intelligence within the law enforcement community and in the deployment of operational resources to prevent the trafficking of drugs into the EU. As part of the Customs Drugswatch programme, a confidential 24/7 freephone is also promoted and maintained as a communications channel for the maritime and coastal communities to report suspicious activity.

Drug trafficking has become increasingly globalised in its nature. On 30 September 2007 year in a combined response to this threat, Ireland and six other EU states established a Maritime Operations and Analysis Centre — Narcotics in Lisbon, Portugal. The Commissioners are currently arranging for the recruitment of a Customs Liaison Officer for assignment to Lisbon. This centre, which is supported by the US authorities, is already playing a leading role in the fight against the trafficking of drugs, particularly cocaine, into the EU from South America and also from West Africa, which is increasingly being used as a staging post. Earlier this year at the launch of the Commissioners' new Statement of Strategy, I was pleased to announce the decision to purchase a second Customs Cutter to complement the important work being done by the RCC Suirbhéir. It is expected that this new vessel will be commissioned next year. My Department does not have responsibility for air-sea rescue.