asked the Minister for Finance if sniffer dogs are used at Dublin airport by customs personnel for drug detection; and if these dogs are available for drug detection at the Carrickcarnan Border post.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a sniffer dog is being used by customs at various locations, including Dublin airport, for drug detection purposes. This method of combating drug smuggling has not so far been used on the land frontier with Northern Ireland.

The question of acquiring additional sniffer dogs for use at further locations will be examined in the light of the results obtained from using the existing dog.

Has the Minister any concrete evidence of the effectiveness of the use of sniffer dogs at Dublin airport? Will he accept that they are used by customs officials throughout the world for the detection of drugs?

The answer is yes to the latter part of the question. However, I am afraid I cannot give any definitive or authoritative view on the effectiveness of the sniffer dog since the dog was acquired only on 11 February last.