Written answers

Thursday, 18 July 2013

Department of Finance

Customs and Excise Controls

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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109. To ask the Minister for Finance the maritime patrol capabilities of the Revenue Commissioners and its Irish Tax and Customs section; the names of the vessels currently in service, their capabilities and their recent activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36143/13]

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by Revenue that the role of the Maritime Unit, equipped with the two Revenue Customs Cutters, is to exercise responsibility for the customs function around the Irish coast and in territorial waters, up to 12 miles offshore. Revenue currently operates two purpose-built patrol craft (Revenue Customs Cutters), RCC "SUIRBHÉIR" in service since 2004 and RCC "FAIRE" in service since 2009. Both craft, operated by appropriately qualified officers from Revenue's Customs service, are capable of extended patrols right around the Irish Coastline and adjacent waters. The primary aim of coastal activity is to prevent, detect and deter smuggling and illegal importation of controlled drugs and other goods. It involves co-operation between land-based Revenue and Gardaí, the Maritime Unit and the Navy, and of course international authorities. The Revenue Maritime Unit completes the range of responses now regarded as standard in international anti-smuggling activities.

Regarding recent activity, for operational reasons specific details of the Cutter activities is not made public.

The range of cutter activities mirrors that of land based customs officers and includes:

- Patrol of the external frontier to outer limits of Territorial Sea (12 mile limit).

- Monitoring (overt & covert) all vessel movements - Assess, Board, Rummage as required.

- Enforcement of import and export prohibitions and restrictions.

- Identification and securing of outstanding VAT/duty liability on pleasure craft.

- Information/Intelligence management.

- International anti-smuggling operations at sea.

- Managing and monitoring maritime information systems .

- Servicing national and international M.O.U.s and Mutual Assistance requests.

- Supporting national anti-smuggling operations.

- Developing and servicing coastal contacts (Customs Drugs Watch Programme).

- eParticipating in marine search & rescue.

Cutter operations are risk-led, so they tend to be most often deployed where intelligence suggests a need, either on their own or in conjunction with other national and international agencies. It is also important however to ensure that there is a visible presence in all parts of the country, and cutters are based in Dublin, East Coast, and North West for extended periods as well as in their "home" base in the South West - traditionally the highest risk area for transatlantic drug smuggling. In addition, the cutters participate in a limited number of public events and maritime festivals to build public awareness of the Customs Drugs Watch programme.

Each cutter has a crew of six, and is at sea for more then 200 days per annum, with 24/7/365 availability. Each cutter carries a rigid inflatable (RIB) which can be launched at sea to enable boarding. They are also equipped with the latest radar, satellite monitoring and communications equipment, and have constant access to Revenue and other enforcement agency databases.

As an island nation the provision of customs cutters to police our maritime frontiers is regarded as an essential investment. The cost and adequacy of the present level of provision is continually reviewed. For the moment, I am satisfied that Revenue has an effective service at reasonable cost, that meets the foreseeable needs.

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