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Home > Dail Eireann debate. Written answer 56 - Customs searches [9909/11].

[Oireachtas] Dail Eireann debate. Written answer 56 - Customs searches [9909/11]. (04 May 2011)

External website: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2...


56. Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Finance the number of private aircraft searched for drugs at Ireland West Airport Knock in the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 [9909/11]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Michael Noonan): I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that all private aircraft arrivals at Ireland West Airport Knock are monitored on an ongoing basis, and based on risk analysis, profiling, review of intelligence etc., a decision is made on whether or not to search a private aircraft. While private aircraft are boarded from time to time at Ireland West Airport Knock, to check for drugs and other contraband, it is not the policy of the Revenue Commissioners to publish precise details of such enforcement activities, as this could prejudice current or future operations. The Commissioners further advise me that passengers and crew from private aircraft who enter the State are subject to the same checks as other arrivals, including individual profiling, and are liable to be checked by Revenue staff and screened by the drug detector dog.

In line with best practice in customs administration worldwide, Revenue regards the development of information and intelligence as critical to the detection of evasion and smuggling, including drug smuggling. This is very important in the case of Ireland and other EU Member States where the operating environment for Customs has been shaped to a significant degree by the introduction of the Internal Market and the related principles of freedom of movement within the EU. Of specific relevance are the abolition of routine and systematic Customs checks on goods and passengers moving within any part of the EU. The approach has of necessity been to balance the freedom of movement principle in regard to people and goods with the need to control smuggling.

 
Written Answers - Customs Searches
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Vol. 731 No. 2 (Unrevised)
Item Type
Dail Debates
Publication Type
Irish-related
Drug Type
Substances (not alcohol/tobacco)
Intervention Type
Crime prevention
Source
Oireachtas
Date
4 May 2011
EndNote
View
Subjects
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Policy > Policy on substance use > Supply reduction policy
MM-MO Crime and law > Crime deterrence
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland > Mayo
MM-MO Crime and law > Crime > Substance related crime > Crime associated with substance production and distribution
MM-MO Crime and law > Justice system > Justice / enforcement agency

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