Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that there are sufficient resources available to the Naval Service to allow it to discharge its role in regard to the prevention and interception of drug smuggling; the proportion of sailing time for Naval Service vessels devoted to anti-drug patrolling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42748/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners. However, the White Paper on Defence provides for a security role for the Naval Service to assist and support the civil authorities in this important work. The Joint Task Force on Drug Interdiction was established in 1993 as a Government measure to improve law enforcement in relation to drugs and consists of members of an Garda Síochána, the Customs Service and the Naval Service. Drug Interdiction is carried out by Naval ships on receipt of intelligence from the Joint Task Force.

The Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the Exclusive Fishery Limits. The primary day-to-day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. All Naval ships on patrol are multi-tasked. Although the majority of effort is concentrated on fishery protection, general maritime surveillance is also carried out on an ongoing basis while ships are on patrol, including surveillance for illegal activities. Given the multi-role nature of naval patrols, it is not possible to separate out drug patrolling from other types of patrolling and surveillance.

The number of Patrol Vessels on patrol in Irish waters at any one time varies between three and eight. The Naval Service is committed to having at least three vessels on patrol within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone at any one time. In 2007, the Naval Service completed 1,661 days patrolling at sea. The successful seizure of a large quantity of cocaine by the Naval Service off the South West coast earlier this month was as a result of the close co-operation that exists between the services who form the Joint Task Force and demonstrates how Naval Service resources are being maximised effectively in combating drug trafficking. I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the Naval Service again on such a well executed operation in what I understand were extremely difficult circumstances.