Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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53. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on whether additional mobile X-ray scanners are needed for the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will report the cost of providing each additional scanner. [16902/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Revenue currently has three mobile scanner systems. Two of these are mobile x-ray container scanning systems that are based at Dublin Port and Rosslare Ferry Port respectively. Both of these scanners are available for deployment at other ports, and at other locations such as warehouses, as required, and Revenue uses them, on a risk assessment basis, at various locations throughout the country. The other mobile scanning system is a scanner van, a specialist vehicle incorporating an X-ray facility and radiation detection facilities. It is used for monitoring baggage and cargo at airports and ports for narcotics, cigarettes, radioactive materials and other contraband. It also allows Revenue officers to carry out control actions at other locations such as warehouses and courier depots.

The mobile scanner systems are complemented by static baggage/parcel scanners at all major ports, airports and postal depots. I am advised that four modern replacement x-ray scanners for baggage were purchased in the last year for use at Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, Cork Airport and Rosslare Ferry Port.

The Revenue Commissioners are satisfied with their current scanning capabilities and consider that the container ports are adequately serviced by the two mobile X-ray container scanning systems and have no plans at present to acquire additional scanners.