Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of revenue cutters that are currently in service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1926/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they currently have two cutters in service, RCC Suirbheir (brought into service in 2004) and RCC Faire (brought into service in 2009).

Both vessels are involved on an ongoing basis in the patrol and monitoring of the State's maritime jurisdiction and adjacent waters. These patrol/monitoring activities are aimed at the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of prohibited and restricted goods (including narcotics) smuggled or illegally imported into, or intended to be exported out of, the State/E.U. They are also involved in servicing national and international Memoranda of Understandings and Mutual Assistance requests from other jurisdictions; servicing maritime call-outs; co-operating with other national enforcement agencies to combat drugs trafficking by sea and co-operating with international customs agencies to combat international drugs trafficking by sea.