asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the latest information available on the extent of the drugs problem in Dublin; the progress which has been made by the Garda in dealing with the drugs problem during the past 12 months; if his attention has been drawn to the growing problem of prescribable drugs being made available free of charge to homeless children; if the Garda have any plans to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Drugs Problem.
20.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that in recent years illegal trafficking in drugs has decreased significantly here. They are satisfied that the level of seizures of illicit drugs and of arrests and successful prosecutions for drug-related offences indicates that the problem is being tackled with a considerable measure of success. The Garda continue to monitor the illicit drugs problem very closely and their strategies for dealing with it are constantly reviewed.
I am informed that a problem of the kind referred to in the question, in relation to prescribable drugs, has not come to the notice of either the gardaí or the Department of Health.
I find it remarkable for the Minister to suggest that he is unaware of the problem of prescribable drugs being available on the streets, in particular to homeless persons. Is the Minister saying that this problem is completely unknown to the Garda as an offence, or is he merely saying that it is unknown to any great extent. Will the Minister clarify the position in regard to that aspect?
The Minister and the Garda would be talking about notified cases. Obviously, they would have views about the situation generally, just as Deputies might have from their experiences, but the question of evidence and information about specific problems, such as the ones mentioned here, have not come to the notice of either the Garda or the Department of Health.
I want to ask a final supplementary on this matter. Do the Minister or the Department have any intention of increasing the number of members in the Garda Drug Squad, a unit who continuously work under pressure, or of giving them the means to deal with the new form of drug importation — the importation of small amounts of drugs by people travelling to and from London and elsewhere by plane? Will the Minister advise what progress has been made with regard to involving the Customs and Excise officials more directly in the detection of drugs, consequent on the Act which was passed in this House in the last year?
A whole range of measures have been taken by the Garda authorities and customs officers have obviously acted very closely in unison and have been getting results. In relation to the Garda members, some 3,000 have undergone specialised training in anti-drug offences work. This did not involve specialised training for the drug squad only but for members of the Garda Síochána generally. This area is kept under constant review because obviously it is one where vigilance is of the highest importance.
Are there any plans to increase the numbers in the drug squad?
I am not aware of any such plans at this stage.
I want now to deal with Private Notice Questions.
I presume there are no plans.
Order please.