The State's first boat dedicated to tackling drug smuggling was named in Cork today.
The 23-metre long cutter, the RCC Suirbheir,was purpose-built and will be manned by customs officers under the command of the Revenue Commissioners. It has a top speed of 25 knots and cost €1.6 million.
The cutter can stay at sea for up to a week and can cover all Irish terrotorial waters up to a 12-mile limit. The officers will be unarmed and supported by the navy if intelligence suggests the Suirbheircould be in a dangerous situation during operations.
Ms Noeleen McCreevy, wife of Minister for Finance Mr McCreevy, performed the official naming ceremony at the Custom House Quay, Cork, this afternoon.
The Minister said the Revenue Commissioners were showing "foresight and vision" by deploying vessel in the "nation's fight against the scourge of drug trafficking". The
Suirbheirwould form an important part of the infrastructure supporting the National Drugs Strategy, Mr McCreevy added.
Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners Mr Frank Daly said: "This impressive vessel will play a very important role in ensuring that the environment for drug smugglers who come into our territorial waters and ports becomes increasingly and significantly more difficult."