A MAJOR reduction in the number of patrolling days available to the Irish Naval Service will not have an impact on the success of criminals importing drugs, the Department of Defence has insisted.

The number of "patrol days" available this year is set to decline to just 1,480 from a high of 1,681 in 2005, a fall of almost 12%.

However, the department has said that because drug interdiction is "intelligence" based, the amount of patrols taking place should not have a significant effect on the battle to intercept drugs en route to Ireland.

The major cut in hours is part of cost-saving plans agreed with the Defence Forces following the publication of the report of An Bord Snip Nua.

Naval vessels play a key part in the country's fight against drugs importation, according to the Department of Defence.

They said: "Drug interdiction is intelligence driven and is given first priority. There will be no reduction in effort during 2010 and there will be constant naval presence at sea, every day.

"The Naval Service is the State's primary sea-going agency. On any given patrol day, the Naval Service can carry out a number of taskings on behalf of other state agencies such as the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency, an Garda Síochána and the Customs Service.

"While Naval Service pat­rols undoubtedly act as a deterrent in the fight against the importation of drugs into Ireland, the more recent successful maritime drug interdiction operations occurred due to intelligence received and the cooperation that exists between national and international agencies."

The Department of Defence said that a joint task force of gardai, customs and the Naval Service would continue to work together in combating drug trafficking.