Elected councillors will write to the Defence and Marine Ministers to request additional EU assistance to protect Kerry seas from criminal activity.
It follows a motion from independent councillor Podge Foley, at the recent full meeting of Kerry County Council.
Cllr Foley says greater surveillance and assistance is needed on the Irish coastline, adding the West Coast in particular is vulnerable to drug trafficking.
He noted examples of large scale drug hauls on the Kerry coast in recent times.
The independent councillor stated we’re viewed as a soft touch, and as the first point of contact and stepping stone to Europe by traffickers coming from America and South America.
Cllr Foley says the cost and devastation of these drugs can be seen in our community and every small town in Ireland.
He added if these shipments get into Ireland, it’s going to get into the rest of Europe, and believes the EU should be proactive and help patrol the coast themselves to combat the problem.
The motion was seconded by Fianna Fáil councillor, Tommy Cahill.
