Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of purchasing two additional mobile x-ray scanners and two cutter vessels for the Revenue Commissioners. [8006/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated capital cost of purchasing two additional mobile X-ray container scanners is in the region of €6,000,000, or €3,000,000 per scanner, inclusive of VAT and standard 5-year maintenance service, based on current market trends. The estimated running costs of two scanners per annum, to include crew salaries, fuel costs, etc. is a further €640,000 at current prices.

I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated capital cost of purchasing two additional cutter vessels is in the region of €6,000,000, or €3,000,000 per vessel, VAT inclusive. This is based on the cost of the most recently acquired cutter, RCC Faire, adjusted for changes in commodity prices and inflation. That vessel cost €2.78 million, VAT inclusive, and the contract to acquire it was signed in February 2008.

The estimated running cost of two cutters per annum is in the region of €1,260,000. This includes fuel, insurance, berthage, ongoing maintenance and licensing charges as well as crew salaries and other associated costs.

Any process to acquire additional mobile X-ray scanners and cutters would be subject to competitive tendering, which would determine the actual prices to be paid. It should be noted that prior to any such process, it would be necessary to establish that acquisition of further such equipment would significantly assist Revenue's anti-smuggling operations. Crewing such equipment would also have to take account of Government policy in relation to civil service numbers.