Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Finance if he will allocate funding to purchase two additional mobile x-ray scanners for the Revenue Commissioners in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48022/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of taxes and duties and for tackling the smuggling of dutiable and prohibited goods, that they regard anti-smuggling prevention as a high priority area. The use of enforcement equipment such as mobile X-ray scanners and other detection technologies is just one part of a multi-faceted strategy employed by Revenue to tackle smuggling. This strategy includes ongoing analysis of the nature and extent of smuggling activity and developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis. It necessitates ongoing review of operational policies and optimum deployment of resources at points of importation and inland to intercept contraband product. Revenue continually monitors ongoing developments in available X-ray and other technologies and the selection and deployment of detection equipment is constantly reviewed. Revenue has made use of the European Union’s Hercule II programme to part-fund the acquisition of detection equipment and will apply for further funding, where appropriate, in the future. The actual technology selected and the operational deployment of that technology are matters for the Revenue Commissioners.

Under the present rules of the Hercule II programme, Ireland would have to fund a minimum of 50% of the capital cost and 100% of the ongoing operational costs of a new container scanner. The capital cost of such a scanner would be of the order of €3 million and the running costs would be approximately €320,000 a year.

Revenue currently has two mobile X-ray container scanning systems, which are based at Dublin Port and Rosslare Ferry Port. However, both scanners are available for deployment at other ports and at warehouses etc as required, and Revenue utilises them, on a risk assessment basis, at various locations throughout the country. Revenue is satisfied that the container ports are adequately serviced by these scanners and has no plans at present to acquire any additional scanners of this kind.

Revenue also uses smaller static baggage/parcel scanners at all major ports, airports and postal depots and are currently in the process of replacing units in Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport and Rosslare Ferry Port. In addition, it expects to take delivery shortly of a mobile x-ray van, which will enhance scanning capabilities at airports, ports and warehouses. The acquisition of this equipment is being supported by the Hercule II programme.