John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of private aircraft searched by customs authorities at Ireland West, Carrickfinn, Sligo and Galway airports sine 1 January 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41049/10]

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.

A selection of private aircraft has been targeted in the period in question, involving Customs staff assembling a profile of the aircraft and passengers, 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.

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 is 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.

The 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.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of full time customs staff at Ireland West, Carrickfinn, Sligo and Galway airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41050/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Customs Officers are not permanently based at Ireland West, Carrickfinn, Sligo, or Galway Airports. Customs controls at such airports are risk-based and are carried out by Revenue enforcement staff on mobile patrol. Attendance by these 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. Flights with origins and destinations with a high-risk rating attract particular interest. These attendances 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 these airfields. A drugs detector dog is frequently in attendance.

In addition to drugs enforcement work, other duties are undertaken by officers in attending airports/aerodromes, including controls against the smuggling of excise products, the clearance of aircraft and passengers arriving from third countries, spot checks on EU flights and checks on private aircraft.

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. Up to the end of October 2010, Customs staff carried out a total of 1,744 checks on the Airports at Ireland West, Carrickfinn, Sligo, and Galway.