Written answers

Thursday, 6 November 2008

5:00 pm

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Finance the action he has taken to ensure that appropriate steps to deliver a comprehensive Customs and Excise Service with a view to preventing the importation of illegal drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32794/08]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Revenue's 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 and export controls at all points of entry/exit to/from Ireland, including ports, airports and the land frontier with Northern Ireland.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in line with best practice in customs administration worldwide, the development of information and intelligence is critical to the successful 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.

I am satisfied that Revenue attaches significant importance to its role in drug enforcement and that Customs staff are keenly aware of their drug prevention role. At corporate level, Revenue's Statement of Strategy 2008-2010, which was launched in February 2008, contains a clear commitment on Revenue's role in the war against drugs. In addition, Revenue is contributing at Interdepartmental Group level to the formulation of the Government's new National Drug Strategy 2009-2016.

A further indication of Revenue's commitment in this area has been the development of specific Revenue Strategic and Operational Plans for Drug Interdiction for the period from 2008-2010. The development of these two plans, together with the recent decision by Revenue to invest further significant resources in this area (such as the purchase of a second Customs Cutter and the expansion of the detector dog programme) is testimony to the fact that this is an area of long-term strategic interest to Revenue and confirms its commitment to delivery in tackling the drugs problem.

At operational level, Revenue is fully committed to providing an effective level of protection against drug smuggling at frontiers by systematically applying controls commensurate with the levels of risk identified. All operations are risk focussed and resources are deployed to combat areas of greatest risk. In this regard, Revenue is continuously engaged in analysis and evaluation of seizure trends, routes and smuggling risks and in consequential resource deployment.

In developing information and intelligence, Revenue works very closely with the Garda Síochána, the Naval Service, the Air Corps and the Coast Guard Service. In addition, especially in view of the international dimension to drug trafficking, Revenue also attaches importance to optimising cooperation, collaboration and intelligence sharing with authorities in other countries. An example of its commitment in this area has been the recent assignment of Revenue officials as liaison officers at Europol headquarters in The Hague and at the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre — Narcotics in Lisbon, jointly established by Ireland and six other EU partner states. The Centre is already playing an important role in collating intelligence and co-ordinating a better international law enforcement response to the trafficking of cocaine into Europe.

In addition to co-operation with other enforcement agencies, Revenue also recognises the importance of co-operation with business interests and the community generally in the fight against drug smuggling. In this regard, every effort is made to maintain good relationships with trade and the community in order to optimise cooperation, collaboration and intelligence sharing. Revenue already has a Memorandum of Understanding programme in place with businesses to encourage them to join the fight against drug smuggling. Revenue also has a Customs Drugs Watch programme in place that facilitates confidential reporting by the members of the community (particularly those living along the coast and those that are living close to airports and sea ports) of any suspicious activity.

One measure of Revenue's success in the war against drug smuggling has been the value of drugs seized in the five years, 2003 to 2007, during which a total of 7,770 drug seizures were made with an estimated street value of €219m. In the period January 2008 to date, a further 5,200 drug seizures have been made with an estimated street value of €39m. (The figures from 2003 to date include some seizures made during joint operations with the Gardaí. The significant increase in the numbers of drug seizures in 2008 to date is due to an increase in the detection of medicines and also an increase in the number of drug seizures in the post).

Revenue's Customs Service also has responsibility for policing the controls regulating the importation and exportation of cash and they have had some notable successes. While these controls are aimed at criminality generally, there is little doubt that much of the cash seized originates from the drugs trade so it is clear that these activities by Customs are also contributing to the war against drugs.

Finally, I have been assured by the Revenue Commissioners that they are satisfied that the current risk based approach, which is in line with international best practice in this area, is the correct approach to follow.

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