John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of patrol boats available to the customs authorities for patrolling the Irish coastline; the reason for the withdrawal of the patrol boat from duties along the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14528/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, in addition to the assistance provided by the Naval Service, they have a 23 metre cutter, the RCC Suirbhéir, with full sea-going capability. This vessel is used to patrol the Irish coastline and is also used in targeted operations where it operates in conjunction with shore-based resources. The cutter has not been withdrawn from duties along the west coast. During 2007, it carried out 7 patrols on the West Coast of Ireland involving 28 patrol days. These included two operations that led to recoveries of cannabis from the seabed in an area west of Galway Bay.

Revenue has recently signed a contract for the purchase of a second cutter and expects to take delivery in September 2009.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of sniffer dogs available to the customs authorities at the western seaboard ports and Carrickfin, Sligo, Ireland West and Galway Airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14529/08]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of vessels boarded and searched with sniffer dogs at western seaboard ports for 2006 and 2007; the names of the ports in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14530/08]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number and value of drug seizures made at Carrickfin, Sligo, Ireland West and Galway Airports and ports along the western seaboard in 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14531/08]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 127: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of customs staff employed at the various ports along the western seaboard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14532/08]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of hours and dates that the customs staff were on duty at the Carrickfin, Sligo, Ireland West and Galway Airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14533/08]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of customs staff employed at Carrickfin, Sligo, Ireland West and Galway Airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14534/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 to 129, inclusive, together.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there is a full time dog detector unit based in Sligo which covers the areas mentioned. Dog detector units are also located in Shannon and Dublin which can be called upon if required. The Commissioners are satisfied that the dog detector unit located in Sligo is sufficient to meet current demands. During 2006 and 2007, a drug detector dog was used on a number of occasions to assist in the search of vessels for drugs. It is not the policy of the Revenue Commissioners to publish details of the usage of sniffer dogs as this could prejudice current or future operations.

In 2006, eight seizures (value €233) were made at Ireland West Airport Knock. In 2007, eight seizures were made at Ireland West Airport Knock (value €291) and one seizure at Galway (value €36). No seizures took place at Galway Airport in 2006 and none at Carrickfin or Sligo Airports in 2006 or 2007. No seizures took place in the ports along the Western seaboard during 2006 or 2007. During 2007, 362 kgs of Cannabis was recovered from the seaboard off the west coast by a number of fishing trawlers. The drugs were seized by the Revenue Customs Service and intensive enquiries were carried out nationally and internationally into the source of the cannabis.

One Officer is employed full time in Killybegs Port. Shipping duties in Galway and Sligo Ports are covered, as required, by local Officers based at Galway and Sligo. Other coverage of ports along the western seaboard is provided by mobile Revenue Customs Officers on a risk analysis basis. The Revenue Customs cutter patrols the Western seaboard from time to time and where there is a significant maritime threat, the Customs Service receives invaluable assistance from the Naval Service and the Air Corps. Assistance is also received from foreign Customs. Revenue is actively promoting the Customs Drugs Watch programme in the coastal area.

For the first three months of 2008, Customs Officers carried out a total of 34 visits to the airports at Carrickfin, Sligo, Ireland West and Galway. The total staff hours spent on these visits was 446 hours. It is not the policy of the Revenue Commissioners to publish details of the dates and times of enforcement activities as this could prejudice current or future operations. A number of new flights are due to start shortly and existing flights are due to increase under summer schedules. Enforcement visits will increase accordingly.

Customs Officers are not permanently based at Carrickfin, Sligo, Ireland West or Galway airports. Customs controls at such aerodromes are risk-based and are carried out by mobile Revenue Customs 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 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.

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 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 aerodromes where passenger traffic is predominantly intra-Community. 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. The risk rating for all of the airports mentioned is due for review by 30 June 2008 and any change in the risks will be addressed. I am also assured by the Revenue Commissioners of their strong ongoing commitment to playing their part in combating smuggling and criminal activity, as reiterated in their recently published statement of strategy.