(Limerick East) asked the Minister for Finance the number of drug seizures made by officers of the Revenue Commissioners at or in the vicinity of ports, airports and the land frontier in the years 1985 to 1988 inclusive; the quantity and type of illegal drug seized on each occasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Particulars of drug seizures for the years 1985 to 1988 (up to 22 March) are shown in Tables 1-4 attached which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. There were no seizures of illicit drugs at the land frontier in the period in question.

TABLE 1

1985

Drug Seizures — Ports and Airports

*Includes seizures at Foreign Parcel Post Depots Dublin/Cork.

TABLE 2

1986

Drug Seizures — Ports and Airports

*Includes seizures at Foreign Parcel Post Depots Dublin/Cork.

TABLE 3

1987

Drug Seizures — Ports and Airports

*Includes seizures at Foreign Parcel Post Depots. Dublin/Cork.

TABLE 4

1988

(up to 22 March) (Provisional)

Drug Seizures — Ports and Airports

*Includes seizures at Foreign Parcel Post Depots Dublin/Cork.

(Limerick East): It is difficult to ask supplementary questions on the basis of a tabular statement which I have not seen. On the question of the land frontier, are customs officers actively seeking illicit drugs at the land frontier or are they so occupied with other activities that drugs are not a priority? Second, could the Minister inform the House if the tabular statement contains seizures of synthetic drugs?

In relation to the first question, I am sure customs officers are active in every place, but there have not been any seizures at land frontiers, only at ports and airports. The drugs in question mentioned in the four pages for the particular years are herbal cannabis, cannabis resin, cocaine, heroin and others. What the others contain I am not quite sure. I must confess to not being a professional in relation to whether these things are synthetic or otherwise.

(Limerick East): None of us are. Can the Minister tell me if there is any reference to crack being seized at the moment?

There is reference to seeds, reefers and amphetamine powder. I cannot see any reference to crack.

(Limerick East): I will pursue it on another occasion.