Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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157. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will seek EU funding to cover the cost of replacing the two customs cutter vessels for the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44678/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Revenue has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception, and seizure of controlled drugs intended to be smuggled or illegally imported into, or exported from, the State. This Government has been consistent in its strong support in ensuring that Revenue has the necessary resources to fulfil its mandate in this regard.

Revenue’s Maritime Unit which has a national remit to patrol and monitor internal waters, territorial seas and adjacent waters, currently has two Cutters (patrol vessels) in active service, with one of those vessels approaching the end of its service life. I am advised by Revenue that a tendering process for the procurement of a replacement cutter was finalised and a contract for the delivery of a Revenue Customs Cutter was signed on the 3rd of August 2023.

An application for funding under the ‘Union Anti-Fraud Programme (EUAF)’ towards the partial cost of the replacement Cutter was submitted in 2022 and was successful. The contracted cost of the replacement Cutter is €8.75 million excluding VAT and is being funded by the Exchequer and the grant from OLAF (the European Anti-Fraud Office) from the EU Anti-Fraud Programme. The new Cutter is expected to come into service in 2025.

I am advised that included in Revenue’s Request for Tender was an option for a second vessel, which could be a replacement for Revenue’s second vessel when it is approaching the end of its service life. The matter of EU funding towards the cost of a second vessel will be pursued by Revenue in due course.