[Oireachtas]
Dail Eireann debate. Written answer 132 - Misuse of drugs [New psychoactive substances ] [40989/10].
(04 Nov 2010)
External website: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2...
132. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Finance in view of the recent reports in the media confirming that legal highs can be purchased on-line and sent to customers here without any check carried out by Customs and Excise, the steps, if any, he will take to prevent this occurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan): I would point out to the Deputy that, following amendments to the Misuse of Drugs provisions in May 2010 and the commencement of the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010, all the substances previously described as “legal highs” are subject to control. Revenue’s Customs Service has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs at importation. At the operational level, Revenue is fully committed to providing an effective level of protection at frontiers against drug smuggling by systematically applying controls commensurate with the levels of risk identified. All operations are risk focussed and resources are deployed to combat areas of greatest risk. In this regard,
Revenue is continuously engaged in analysis and evaluation of seizure trends, routes and smuggling risks and in consequential resource deployment. I have been assured by the Revenue Commissioners that they are satisfied that the current risk based approach, which is in line with international best practice in this area, is the correct approach to follow. I am also advised by the Revenue Commissioners that controls are being applied to on-line purchases arriving in the State and, accordingly, the media report that checks are not being carried out by Customs is not correct.
Vol. 721 No. 1
Written Answers – Misuse of Drugs
Thursday 4 November
Publication Type
Irish-related
Drug Type
New psychoactive substance
Intervention Type
Crime prevention, Policy
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