Vol. 421 No. 1
38 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the discussions which have taken place with the State solicitor in Cork city regarding his recent comments about the drug problem in the south-west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they met recently with the person in question and interviewed him with a view to obtaining from him any factual information he might have to support the claims made by him in regard to drug trafficking in the Cork area.
It is not the practice for Ministers for Justice to disclose the details of ongoing Garda inquiries but I can confirm that the Garda authorities still take the view that, while there is a problem with the illegal importation and use of cannabis in the Cork area, the problem is on a much smaller scale than that alleged and, in particular, there is no evidence to suggest that the south west area of this country has become a major transit point for illegal trafficking of drugs.
