Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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48. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of customs and excise officials who work at Ireland West Airport, Knock; if they work there on a full-time or part-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12538/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, although staff are not based full-time at Ireland West Airport Knock, staff are present for the majority of flights, including all flights from high risk destinations as determined by Revenue's risk analysis and profiling systems. Attendance by Revenue Officers at Regional Airports, such as Ireland West Airport Knock, is selective and targeted and is based on analysis and evaluation of national and international smuggling 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.  

Attendance by staff at Ireland West Airport Knock covers the full range of flight times and is kept under constant review, in particular to take account of emerging smuggling trends and traffic increases at the Airport. This approach is in line with international practice in smaller airports and is also an efficient use of limited resources. Revenue is aware of new flights commencing shortly at the Airport and will keep the level and extent of customs controls under review, as necessary, based on risk analysis of those additional flights.  A drugs detector dog is frequently in attendance at the Airport and X-ray equipment is in regular use in the arrivals terminal.  

The Deputy will appreciate that, for reasons of operational sensitivity, the Revenue Commissioners are not in a position to provide specific details of enforcement deployment at any given location.  Revenue s overall staff numbers have been reduced over the past two years in the context of Government policy on civil service numbers.  However, the Commissioners assure me that their enforcement resources have been prioritised and are reinforced as necessary for particular operations.  The Commissioners are satisfied that the current arrangements and resources are sufficient for the control of Ireland West Airport Knock.