Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of customs officials engaged solely in drug detection and drug patrols covering the Donegal coastline; the number of land drug patrols carried out in Donegal in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007; the number of coastal patrols carried out in Donegal in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007; the number of drug detections made on land and at sea as a result of these patrols; the quantity of drugs seized in these operations; the number of night clubs and concert venues visited with sniffer dogs on drug detection operations in Donegal in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37730/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Revenue Customs Service has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs at importation. This Service has particular responsibility for implementing import controls at all points of entry to Ireland, including ports, airports and the land frontier with Northern Ireland.

In line with best practice in customs administration worldwide, Revenue regards the development of information and intelligence as critical to the detection of drug smuggling. This is very important in the case of Ireland and other EU Member States where 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 anti smuggling checks. The approach has of necessity been to balance the freedom of movement principle in regard to people and goods with the need to control smuggling, especially drug smuggling.

In relation to Donegal, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that eight officers, based in Letterkenny, have responsibility for Revenue enforcement in County Donegal. Two of these officers are engaged full-time on drugs enforcement duties and the other officers are deployed to that task as the need arises. Revenue continually assesses the risks along the Donegal coast and the coastline is patrolled by these enforcement officers as part of their normal day-to-day enforcement duties. These patrols are in the main selective and targeted and are based on analysis and evaluation of national and international seizure trends, traffic frequency, routes and other risk indicators. The patrols are constantly reviewed, taking into account available intelligence and emerging smuggling trends.

As well as land-based staff, Revenue also has a sea-going vessel, the Customs Cutter, which patrols the coastline. During the years 2004 to 2007 the Revenue Cutter carried out four patrols along the Donegal coastline. A contract has been signed for the provision of a second cutter that is expected to be delivered late next year. Customs officers also receive assistance from the Naval Service, the Air Corps and the Coast Guard. During the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 Revenue's Customs Service in Co. Donegal, were involved in three seizures of 92 kgs of cannabis resin with a street value of €644,000.

As Revenue has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs at importation, enforcement officers and sniffer dog units have not been involved in the visiting of nightclubs and concert venues, where detection of drugs is primarily a matter for the Garda Síochána. I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are actively promoting the Customs Drugs Watch programme in all coastal areas. This Programme seeks to enlist the help of the public in combating drug smuggling by noting any unusual or suspicious activity and reporting it immediately to a local Customs Drugs Watch Officer. The two Drugs Officers in Letterkenny are specifically tasked with developing the Drugs Watch programme.