347. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance the number of x-ray scanners currently in place to detect illicit trade and smuggling at ports and airports around the country; the number of scans conducted in 2024; if it is planned to increase the number of scanners and the volume of scans at ports and airports this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16738/25]

375. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Finance the additional staffing, sniffer dog, or scanner resources, if any, that have been provided to the Revenue Commissioners in 2024; or 2025 to date, to enhance the detection and enforcement of illegal tobacco smuggling. [17602/25]

380. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Finance the number of enforcement and trade facilitation allowanced staff working in each of Revenue’s frontier management branches with responsibility for ports and airports, working on a 24/7 basis where relevant, in each of the past five years; and as of end of March 2025. [17622/25]

Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Finance: I propose to take Questions Nos. 347, 375 and 380 together.

I am advised that Revenue is committed to targeting the illegal importation and exportation of prohibited and restricted goods and implements a range of measures to identify and target illegal smuggling, including duty free tobacco and alcohol in excess of duty-free allowances, and where possible, prosecuting those involved. Revenue’s approach involves the use of analytics and detection technologies and ensuring the optimum deployment of resources on a risk-focused basis. In that context, I understand that operational requirements and arrangements regarding the deployment and use of detection technology and resources, including x-ray scanners and detector dog teams, are kept under regular review by Revenue having regard to ongoing risk assessment of smuggling and criminal activities and evolving operational needs. Given the global nature of the illicit smuggling trade, international law enforcement cooperation remains a key element in Revenue’s overall response. Revenue has strong and strategic partnerships in place at international level targeting illicit smuggling, including working closely with relevant law enforcement agencies such as Europol and the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre for Narcotics (MAOC-N).

Revenue liaison officers are stationed in both Europol and MAOC-N, ensuring Revenue is at the forefront in the area of anti-smuggling enforcement at an international level. These officers work closely with international colleagues in identifying the transnational risks associated with illicit smuggling into the State. Furthermore, Revenue is an active participant, along with its national and EU partners, in initiatives under the umbrella of the EU Roadmap to Tackle Drugs and Organised Crime. These initiatives, including the European Ports Alliance, provide for EU-wide collaboration and information sharing on best practices to increase security and resilience in tackling the threat posed by drug trafficking, illicit smuggling and organised crime.

I am advised by Revenue that its detector dog teams, although an integral element of Revenue’s compliance framework, are just one component of a suite of detection equipment and technologies deployed to target fraud, illicit trade, smuggling and organised crime. Revenue added one additional detector dog team (handler and dog) in 2024 to enhance the detection and enforcement of illegal tobacco smuggling. Revenue currently operates 26 detector dog teams including one team working on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. These teams, which are a national resource and can be deployed across the country depending on operational requirements, work in tandem with the broad suite of detection equipment and technologies deployed by Revenue. These teams are deployed on a daily basis. In addition to this, I am informed that there is a suite of X-Ray scanners available to officers at the main points of entry. I am advised that it has not been possible to provide details on scanning deployments for operational reasons. Alongside the detection equipment and technologies deployed at the main points of entry, Revenue has a dedicated Maritime Unit and operates two cutters (patrol vessels).

The Revenue Maritime Unit has a national remit to patrol and monitor internal waters, territorial seas and adjacent waters. These patrol and monitoring activities are aimed at the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of illegal importations and exportations of prohibited and restricted goods, including drugs. I am informed that Revenue has over 500 staff assigned across our ports and airports, working on a 24/7 basis where relevant. Such staff are involved in a range of trade facilitation and enforcement duties, including enforcement of duty-free allowances. The table below provides a breakdown of the number of enforcement and trade facilitation allowanced staff working in each of Revenue’s Frontier Management Branches with responsibility for ports and airports, working on a 24/7 basis where relevant, for the years 2021 to end March 2025.

This Government has been consistent in its strong support for ensuring that Revenue has the necessary resources to fulfil its mandate in respect of functions that are critical for its effective functioning as a tax and customs administration and I remain open to considering any proposals from Revenue for additional resources that will support its work.