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Think I spied this today... Was gonna get a pic, then wasn't bothered getting off the bus and walking the rest of the way home...
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
What I actually saw yesterday was both Faire and Suibheir. Today I got to have a little tour around Faire too and took some pictures. Will post them up whenever I can as someone has misplaced my card reader
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
Because the coastguard have no law enforcement function, nor do they carry out any other tasks that the Revenue Customs cutter have.
The Coastguard are primarily a search and rescue agency. The customs cutters are designed for surveillance and boarding of small craft.... not rescuing people.
The question should be why are they not in the Naval Service.
Agreed that they should be in the NS. Can't remember hearing anything about the activities of these Customs cutters - do they get up to much? Are they earning their keep?
asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the role of the two Customs Cutters; the number of seizures and value of same made by those Cutters in 2010, 2011 and 2012; the costs associated with each of these two vessels respectively in each of the respctive years; the number of personnel assigned to each vessel; his future plans for the Customs Maritime Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10733/13]
Minister for Finance (Deputy Michael Noonan): I am informed by Revenue that the role of the Maritime Unit, equipped with the two Revenue Customs Cutters, is to exercise responsibility for the customs function around the Irish coast and in territorial waters, up to 12 miles offshore. The primary aim of coastal activity is to prevent, detect and deter smuggling and illegal importation of controlled drugs and other goods. It involves co-operation between land-based Revenue and gardaí, the Maritime Unit and the Navy, and of course international authorities. The Revenue Maritime Unit completes the range of responses now regarded as standard in international anti-smuggling activities.
The use of cutters in Ireland was adopted having regard to the need to fill a gap between land-based resources and the Navy. The choice of robust seagoing vessels was necessary for safe and effective operation in variable weather and sea conditions. Internationally, the use of this kind of vessel is now standard. The benefits are in gathering intelligence, providing a visible customs presence in coastal waters, and widening the scope of Revenue capability. While searches (rummages) are carried out by the cutters, it is most unusual for them to seize more than small amounts of prohibited substances. Seizures are more usually done onshore, at the point of disembarkation, for safety reasons. Their intelligence and expertise have, however, contributed considerably to successful high profile operations, both nationally and internationally.
The range of cutter activities mirrors that of land-based customs officers and includes:
- Patrol of the external frontier to outer limits of Territorial Sea (12 mile limit).
- Monitoring (overt & covert) all vessel movements - Assess, Board, Rummage as required.
- Enforcement of import and export prohibitions and restrictions.
- Identification and securing of outstanding VAT/duty liability on pleasure craft.
- Information/Intelligence management.
- International anti-smuggling operations at sea.
- Managing and monitoring maritime information systems.
- Servicing national and international MOUs and Mutual Assistance requests.
- Supporting national anti-smuggling operations.
- Developing and servicing coastal contacts (Customs Drugs Watch Programme).
The principal costs associated with the operation of the cutters are fuel costs, operational maintenance costs and staffing costs. Each cutter has a crew of six, and is at sea for more then 200 days per annum, with 24/7/365 availability. The fuel and maintenance costs for two cutters was €299,411 in 2012; €337,340 in 2011; and €331,473 in 2010.
As an island nation the provision of customs cutters to police our maritime frontiers is regarded as an essential investment. The cost and adequacy of the present level of provision is continually reviewed. For the moment, Revenue are satisfied that they have an effective service at reasonable cost, that meets their foreseeable needs
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
The reason they're not Naval Vessels is that some clever operator won the turf war this time and outplayed the Navy at their own game, ie, State ships at sea.
In the rest of Europe, this is not a Naval role either. France, Spain, Holland and the UK have had similar craft carrying out this role for many years.
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
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