Border customs drug-detection training
The Minister said preventive-duty customs staff in Dundalk and Carrickcarnan had drug-detection training and that its use was under review; he rejected the claim that staffing was inadequate.
asked the Minister for Finance if any customs personnel in Dundalk or Carrickcarnan are trained in drug detection.
Comment on this
Instruction in drug detection is given to all outdoor grades in the customs and excise as part of their training and all the customs and excise staff engaged on preventive duties in Dundalk and Carrickcarnan have undergone such training.
Comment on this
Has the Minister looked at the possibility of creating a customs unit trained in drug detection for use on Border posts?
Comment on this
All of the staff engaged on preventive duties in Dundalk and Carrickcarnan have been given training. We are keeping the situation under review with a view to ensuring that that training is used in the most effective way.
Comment on this
I take it that at any time there would not be more than ten people at the Carrickcarnan post dealing with traffic going North and South. Will the Minister not accept it is impossible for them to deal with ordinary customs offences, including drug detection, with the limited number of personnel? It is impossible and unreasonable to ask the officers to do this.