John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of private planes searched at Ireland West Airport, Knock, since 1 January to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29601/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a decision on whether or not to search private aircraft at Ireland West Airport Knock is taken following profiling, review of intelligence and interview with the crew/passengers.

In line with best practice in customs administration worldwide, Revenue regards the development of information and intelligence as critical to the detection of evasion and smuggling, including 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. 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.

A selection of private aircraft has been targeted in the period in question, involving Customs staff assembling a profile of the aircraft, undertaking covert surveillance and interviewing connected persons. However, it is not the policy of the Revenue Commissioners to publish precise details of such enforcement activities as this could prejudice current or future operations.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Finance when full time customs staff were assigned to Ireland West Airport Knock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29602/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, although there are no full time Customs staff assigned to Ireland West Airport Knock, attendance is risk based and undertaken by mobile Customs enforcement staff from other nearby locations.

Attendance by Customs 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. A drugs detector dog is frequently used. Flights with origins and destinations with a high-risk rating attract particular interest. Attendances by Customs officers 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 the Airport.