Revenue & Port of Cork sign 'Memorandum of Understanding'
Revenue’s Assistant Secretary in charge of the South West Region, Anthony Buckley and Port of Cork Company CEO Brendan Keating today (14/09/2006) signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two organisations in detecting and preventing the use of the Port of Cork for the illegal import or export of prohibited substances and devices and in enhancing Port security.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Buckley said, "This MOU cements and enhances long-standing excellent cooperation between Revenue's Customs Service and the Port of Cork Company. Apart from the risks from drugs and other contraband, Customs play a crucial role in contributing to security and safety in the international trade supply chain, particularly maritime container traffic. Customs and Port Authorities must be increasingly vigilant to ensure the prevention of smuggling of terrorist-related weapons and substances."
Brendan Keating, Chief Executive, Port of Cork Company stated: "Throughout most of the 20th Century, the Port of Cork has contributed handsomely to the economic growth, not alone of Cork city and the immediate harbour area, but to the entire southern half of Ireland. Cork is blessed with a great natural deepwater harbour and advantageous geographical location on the south coast. Thanks to a sustained period of traffic growth and investment in modern facilities extending over the past 35 years, Cork is today acknowledged as one of Europe’s most progressive and successful ports."
One of the most immediate consequences of this MOU will be improved joint Customs and Port of Cork Company security and information exchange practices and procedures in relation to the movement of vehicles, goods, containers and people through Cork Port.
The port is Ireland’s second busiest container port in terms of units handled. There are at least ten container sailings each week from Cork to European container terminals such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, Esbjerg and Zeebrugge. Ferry sailings are operated by Swansea Cork Ferries to Swansea and Brittany Ferries to Roscoff. The only oil refinery in the country is located in Cork harbour, at Whitegate. In addition the port handles large quantities of animal feeds, cereals, fertilisers, cement, ores, timber products and various bulk liquids.
Revenue’s Container Scanner visits Cork
As part of its commitment to increased port security in Cork and in conjunction with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding Revenue has today deployed its mobile container scanner for the first time in the Port of Cork. The scanner was acquired by Revenue in December 2004 at a cost of approximately €3million. It is suitable for scanning containers, trailers, and vehicles including cars, vans and coaches. The Scanner can be deployed at any of our container and car ferry ports depending on risk and other factors. The system is highly mobile and can be set up to operate in less than 30 minutes. It is capable of detecting drugs, contraband such as cigarettes and alcohol, explosives and firearms and clandestines (stowaways). It also has the capability to detect radioactive substances and nuclear materials. The scanner can safely scan all cargo and a further advantage is that it allows screening of cargoes which are difficult to physically examine e.g. bulk cargoes, foodstuffs, medicines and other sensitive goods.
[Ends 14/09/2006]