Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is reviewing any new procedures or updated security arrangements for our national ports in liaison with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the gardaí in view of the surge in contraband cigarettes and other illegal materials that have been seized at ports here; if his attention has been drawn to concern among Revenue Commissioners staff at the lack of security in ports here; the number of contraband cigarettes that have been seized at ports and airports here in 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12773/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to refer the Deputy to the replies to similar Parliamentary Questions on Thursday 5th November 2009 (Dáil Question No. 22) and Wednesday 10th February 2010 (Dáil Question No. 91) which set out the position in detail.

In summary, the seizing of contraband cigarettes in Ireland is the responsibility of the Customs and An Garda Síochána. My Department is responsible for the implementation of International and EU security requirements at Irish ports. These require that the main ports have an approved port facility security plan and a port facility security officer is responsible for day-to-day security activities.