asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the grave public concern in Limerick about the growing menace of drug abuse; and, if so, the steps he proposes to take to deal with the problem.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Drug Abuse.
20.
At the outset I should make it clear that, while the Garda have an important role to play in the prevention and control of drug abuse, the misuse of drugs is primarily a social problem.
I recently met a deputation of parents from the Limerick area and had a full discussion with them on all aspects of drug abuse in the mid-west region. I share the concern expressed by the parents about this problem. I was pleased to be able to inform them of discussions I have had with the Garda Commissioner on this subject and of the action he has taken to deal with the matter.
On 1 December last two specially trained members of the Garda Síochána were appointed on a full-time basis to investigate drug abuse in the Limerick division. Since their appointment these members have been developing sources of information, investigating complaints and closely monitoring the drug scene in the area. They operate in close liaison with other members in their own division and in the neighbouring divisions of Clare and Tipperary who have also had special training in drugs investigation. I should mention that drugs investigation is included as part of the standard induction training of every member of the Force and all members of the Force are regarded as preventive officers in this respect. Since the new two-man unit was established on 1 December last, twenty-one cases of unlawful possession of drugs have been detected in the Limerick area. While the Divisional Officer in Limerick is satisfied that the problem in his area is not any greater than in other large urban areas, the matter is being kept under constant review and will continue to receive special attention from the Garda.
I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply, which is reassuring. Is he satisfied that the two-man unit is adequate? He mentioned he is keeping the matter under review. Does he envisage, if the need arises, increasing the actual unit from two to three or four? Would he sympathetically bear that in mind?
If the divisional officer, who is the chief superintendent of the area, feels there is a need for more he will make his request in the normal way to the commissioner and I will be only too glad to accede to it.
Is the two-man unit to which the Minister referred solely for Limerick city or did he refer to a large area?
No. I related it to the Limerick area only but they are in consultation with the Garda in the adjoining divisions of Clare and North Tipperary.
Is there any coverage of the situation at Shannon Airport from the point of view of trafficking?
That is a separate question. It is in a different division from the one Deputy O'Donnell is talking about. I can assure the Deputy that constant attention is being paid to Shannon Airport as a port of entry. In actual fact there was a find there within the last ten days or so.