Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Finance in view of the recent reports in the media confirming that legal highs can be purchased on-line and sent to customers here without any check carried out by Customs and Excise, the steps, if any, he will take to prevent this occurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40989/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I would point out to the Deputy that, following amendments to the Misuse of Drugs provisions in May 2010 and the commencement of the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010, all the substances previously described as "legal highs" are subject to control. Revenue's Customs Service has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs at importation. At the operational level, Revenue is fully committed to providing an effective level of protection at frontiers against drug smuggling 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. 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. I am also advised by the Revenue Commissioners that controls are being applied to on-line purchases arriving in the State and, accordingly, the media report that checks are not being carried out by Customs is not correct.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of private aircraft searched by Customs and Excise for drugs at Ireland West Airport, Knock, Carrickfinn, County Donegal, Galway and Sligo airports for the year 2009 and from 1 January to 31 October 2010. [40990/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the decision on whether or not to search private aircraft at the listed airports 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 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 appropriate to publish precise details of such enforcement activities as this could prejudice current and future operations.

The following Table sets out the number of Customs checks overseeing all aircraft and flights at the listed airports for the period in question. Attendance by Customs officers is selective and targeted and is based on analysis of seizure trends, traffic frequency, routes and other risk indicators as well as specific intelligence. A drugs detector dog is frequently in attendance. Flights with origins and destinations with a high-risk rating attract particular interest.

During 2009, staff made 5 seizures of Cannabis Resin, 15 seizures of Herbal Cannabis and 4 seizures of Amphetamines at Knock whilst Galway staff recorded one seizure of Herbal Cannabis. During 2010, staff made 3 seizures of Cannabis Resin and 13 seizures of Herbal Cannabis Resin at Knock. No seizures of drugs have been recorded at Galway so far in 2010. There have been no drugs seizures recorded at Sligo or Donegal Airports for 2009 or to date in 2010.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of vessels searched at Sligo Port, Galway and Killybegs for the year 2009 and to date in 2010. [40991/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that all commercial shipping into the ports in question is subject to risk profiling. The decision on whether or not to search vessels is taken following risk assessment and the review of intelligence. Standardised Risk Assessments (SRAs) are an important part of intelligence and profiling work. SRAs produce risk indicators for the purpose of targeting goods and vessels by Customs officers, either for physical inspection or post importation enquiries.

Revenue enforcement staff monitor the ports of Galway, Sligo and Killybegs as part of their ongoing patrols, while the Customs Cutters patrol the coastline. The attendance of Revenue staff is selective and targeted and is based on analysis of seizure trends, traffic frequency, routes and other risk indicators as well as specific intelligence. The following table sets out the number of Revenue attendances overseeing all vessels and traffic at the listed ports for the period in question. While there is constant monitoring of the ports and the coastline, it is not the policy of the Revenue Commissioners to publish precise details of enforcement activities as this could prejudice current and future operations.

Revenue continuously assesses the risk along the coast, including any small ports and other landing places, for the illegal importation of drugs and contraband. Revenue officers liaise with local Gardaí, Harbour Masters and the Coastguard regarding drugs and with trade interests in respect of fiscal products. As part of the Customs Drugs Watch programme, a confidential 24/7 free phone is promoted and maintained as a communications channel for the maritime and coastal communities to report suspicious activity. Revenue continues to work proactively with an Garda Síochána and the Naval Service as part of the Joint Task Force on Drugs Interdiction.

In terms of maritime surveillance, there are currently two Customs Cutters in service, the RCC Suirbhéir and the RCC Faire and these support our teams of land-based enforcement officers involved in anti-smuggling duties. Patrols of the ports by the Cutters are kept under constant review to take account of available intelligence and emerging smuggling trends. The Commissioners are satisfied that the current arrangements for maritime and port surveillance are sufficient and effective.