Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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102. To ask the Minister for Finance the follow-up searches that were undertaken further to the recent discovery by persons of substantial quantities of drugs off the west coast in late June 2017; the additional resources that have been allocated to customs officials to enable them to follow up on this drug find; his views on whether customs officials have obtained greater intelligence on the drug smugglers who are using the west coast to illegally import narcotics due to this unplanned find; his further views on whether the customs service has the level of resources it needs to intercept and find drug smugglers importing drugs via the west coast route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35021/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that they are working closely with An Garda Síochána in the aftermath of the recent drugs find off the west coast and investigations are continuing.

The deployment of Revenue staff and resources is a matter for Revenue. I am advised by Revenue that they use a broad range of data, intelligence and analytics to identify and evaluate risk and to confront suspected non-compliance. Revenue currently has approximately 2,000 staff countrywide engaged on activities that are dedicated to targeting and confronting non-compliance. These activities include anti-smuggling and anti-evasion, investigation and prosecution, audit, assurance checks, anti-avoidance, returns compliance and debt collection.

Revenue enforcement officers carry out regular and ongoing monitoring of the western coastline, including patrols and physical checks at harbours and piers. For operational reasons Revenue is not in a position to comment on the specific follow up initiatives undertaken to this recent drugs find. I am however assured by Revenue that they have undertaken a number of specific actions both in their own regard and in conjunction with other relevant State agencies following this drugs find.

Revenue continues to actively engage with the coastal community to increase their awareness of the need to report any suspicious activity, suspicious vessels or movements in the area.

Revenue has an appropriate enforcement presence at all key airports, ports and at other strategic locations throughout the country and places particular emphasis on developing an intelligence-based focus at both national and regional level, deploying resources to areas of highest risk. Enforcement strength at particular locations is regularly augmented with additional personnel on a risk assessment basis or when particular operations are taking place against illegal activity. I am assured by Revenue that they attach a high priority to combatting the smuggling of controlled drugs and are very active, in conjunction with other relevant agencies, in targeting this criminal activity and those responsible for it. I am satisfied with the risk-focused approach Revenue adopts.