Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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181. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of boats-ships searched for drugs at harbours on the Mayo coastline in the years January 2012, 2013 and January to June 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32903/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that harbours and inlets along the Co. Mayo coastline are monitored on a regular basis. The risk of smuggling of all types, including smuggling of drugs, using boats/ships is fully appreciated by Revenue and is the subject of continuous assessment and risk analysis. The decision on whether or not to board and search a vessel is based on risk analysis, profiling, evaluation of national and international smuggling trends, journey frequency, routes and other risk indicators. It can also be a result of specific intelligence. Vessels with origins and destinations with a high risk rating attract particular attention.

While vessels are boarded and searched from time to time to check for any excisable products or prohibited items, including drugs, it is not appropriate for the Revenue Commissioners to publish precise details of such enforcement activities as this could prejudice current or future operations. The Commissioners further advise me that crew members on such vessels who enter the State are subject to the same checks as any other arrivals, including individual profiling, and are liable to be checked by Revenue Customs staff and screened by a drug, cash or tobacco detector dog team.

Revenue enforcement officers undertake regular patrols and physical checks at harbours and piers. Revenue officers liaise with local Gardai, Harbour Masters and the Coastguard regarding drugs and with trade interests in respect of fiscal products. This work is supplemented by Revenue's Customs Drug Watch Programme, which incorporates a coastal reporting mechanism. This allows members of the public, maritime and local communities to report, in confidence, suspect or unusual movements at sea or around the coast through a confidential 24/7 free phone facility. All sightings and reports received are actively pursued and brought to a conclusion.

Revenue deploys two Customs Cutters, the RCC Suirbhéir and the RCC Faire, to patrol the coastline and undertake maritime intelligence gathering duties. These vessels support teams of land-based enforcement officers involved in anti-smuggling duties. The cutters are deployed to cover potential high-risk areas along the coastline. Patrols of the coastline by the Cutters are kept under constant review to take account of available intelligence and emerging smuggling trends. Revenue works proactively with An Garda Síochána and the Naval Service as part of the Joint Task Force on Drugs Interdiction. Revenue also uses its contacts within international law enforcement agencies to proactively profile drug trafficking networks.

I can assure the Deputy that the Revenue Commissioners attach the highest priority to combating the smuggling of controlled drugs and are committed to playing an active role, in conjunction with other relevant agencies, in working against this criminal activity and those responsible for it.