asked the Minister for Justice if recommendations have been placed before him for the improvement of the facilities and assistance available to the Garda Drug Squad; and, if so, if he has approved such recommendations.
18.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Drug Squad.
17.
asked the Minister for Justice the extra resources in terms of manpower and finance that have been allocated to the Garda Drug Squad in the current year.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.
As I have already made clear in reply to Question No. 20 on 2 April 1981, while the Garda have an important role to play in the prevention and detection of drug abuse, the misuse of drugs is primarily a social problem. It is also misleading to refer to the Garda Drug Squad, which is generally understood to refer to the unit based in Dublin Castle, as if the members of that unit were the only members of the force dealing with the prevention and control of drug abuse. Drug abuse is included as part of the standard induction training of every member of the force and all members are regarded as preventive officers in this respect. This aspect is being further emphasised in a special new training course aimed at giving members improved training in the prevention and control of drug abuse.
The cost of specialised units such as the Drug Squad is met from the overall financial allocation in the Garda Sochána Vote and the question of specially earmarking funds for these or other units does not arise. The manpower and other resources allocated to specialised units like the Drug Squad are matters for decision from time to time by the Garda authorities in the light of their assessment of needs and having regard to overall resources and other demands on Garda services. The Garda authorities report that no additional manpower has been allocated to the Drug Squad this year to date and there are no recommendations relating to the allocation of additional resources to the squad awaiting my approval. The Garda authorities consider that the Drug Squad are adequately equipped and they report that additional measures, including improved training and the strengthening of administrative arrangements, are being taken to deal with the prevention and control of drug abuse. In addition, the question of the need to allocate extra manpower, equipment or other facilities to the Drug Squad will continue to be reviewed from time to time.
If recommendations are placed before the Minister in relation to an increase in the Garda Drug Squad will he approve of them? Secondly, is he aware of recent newspaper reports which indicate that heroin is one of the major drugs freely available at present on the Irish illicit drug market?
I have given this assurance in the House before, that if there are requests from the Garda Commissioner for additional personnel to work wholly and totally on the drug scene, I will be quite prepared to meet the commissioner on that matter.
Will the Minister now repeat the assurance which he gave on 19 February and tell us how he is going to implement it, that whatever extra resources in manpower and finance would be necessary would be given? When he said he would do that on 19 February why has the Drug Squad not been increased in numbers? Why is it that the necessary extra manpower needed to combat drugs in this country is not being provided?
Because now the Garda Commissioner is satisfied with the Garda effort in this area. If the Garda Commissioner makes a request for any improvements in this area I will be very glad to meet him on that.
Will Deputy Horgan please ask a supplementary question?
Did I understand the Minister to say that the Garda Commissioner was basically satisfied with the present situation in relation to the control of traffic in illegal drugs? Would I be right in assuming that the Minister shares this view and that he is, broadly speaking, of the opinion that the control of the traffic in illegal drugs is better now than it was when he assumed office?
I will repeat for the Deputy part of my original reply. The Garda authorities consider that the Drug Squad are adequately equipped and they report that additional measures, including improved training and the strengthening of administrative arrangements, are being taken to deal with the prevention and control of drug abuse.
Does the Minister share that view?
Of course I do, because the Garda Commissioner is the professional adviser in this area.
Is the Minister aware that the Garda Commissioner's assessment, which he has now told us he shares, clashes directly with the assessment of the drug control situation given by a very prominent member of his own party who happens to be a prospective candidate in the next general election? Which are we to believe?
That is a matter for the Deputy. I am telling him what the position is.
Is the Minister aware that members of the Drug Squad are reported to have expressed the view that they feel that the number, at present 17, should be doubled at least to provide adequate manpower and womanpower to enable them to cope with the present job?
The size and strength of the drug unit are matters for the Garda Commissioner to decide on and the Deputy knows that.
(Interruptions.)
Ceist 19.