Procurement of mobile x-ray container scanner

ended

The Office of the Revenue Commissioners seeks part funding for the procurement of a new bulk cargo container x-ray scanner to replace one of the three scanners currently deployed nationally for counter smuggling and border security operations. This scanner has been in service since 2005 and is already operating far beyond its 10 year service life. It is now prone to mechanical failure and a replacement scanner is necessary to maintain Irelands current capability in this field. It is proposed to maintain Revenue’s capability to detect prohibited goods and illicit excisable products by the acquisition of a replacement mobile cargo scanner for our oldest mobile x-ray cargo scanner which is beyond its service life. This scanner is now considered obsolete and its performance has been deteriorating in recent years with the device prone to breakdowns and other maintenance issues. Ireland has three mobile container scanners deployed at each of our major ports Dublin , Cork and Rosslare. The oldest of these was acquired in 2005 and the manufacturer has indicated they will not maintain servicing of the system due to the difficulty in sourcing old parts and the high risk of failure of expensive components such as the linear accelerator. Ireland is thus faced with having no mobile container scanner to cover Rosslare Europort. The use of these systems strengthens our capabilities, results in significant seizures of smuggled goods and perhaps most importantly provides a strong deterrent to organised crime groups who seek to exploit weak links. The availability of these systems would be publicised (with the appropriate recognition for any Hercule III funding provided) and it is expected that this would serve as a deterrent to smuggling attempts. It is proposed to commence the procurement process for the new system early in November 2019.