Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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61. To ask the Minister for Finance the customs facilities that are in place at ports; and the breakdown of each port's capacity of temporary storage facilities for customs clearance. [28700/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that customs facilities in place at Ireland's ports include container compounds, mobile x-ray scanners, canine units, examination & seizure sheds, secure safes, baggage hall areas, interview rooms and general office administration facilities. The facilities at each location are determined, inter alia, by the nature and volume of traffic through a particular port and the needs of economic operators operating through or at such locations.

I am advised by Revenue that certain customs facilities used by or deployed by Revenue such as the mobile x-ray scanners and customs dogs are not location specific - they may be deployed having regard to risk assessment undertaken by Revenue.

I am advised by Revenue that a temporary storage facility is a customs approved place inside or outside the approved area of a sea or airport, where non-Union goods are placed in storage prior to being placed under a customs procedure or re-exported. Temporary storage facilities are owned by an independent economic operator and are not owned by Revenue. In the first instance the relevant economic operator must apply to Revenue to be authorised to operate a temporary storage facility - such an application is made electronically with the approval of such an application contingent on compliance with specific criteria and the putting in place of a comprehensive guarantee to cover any potential liability.

The breakdown of each port’s current temporary storage facilities for customs clearance is as follows: