Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 1994

Vol. 437 No. 6

Written Answers. - Establishment of Drug Squads.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

281 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of disturbing reports of the spread of hard drugs like heroin to the suburban areas of Dublin city, she will establish drug squads in each Garda station or, at least, in each Garda district.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

The Garda authorities inform me that problems involving hard drugs such as heroin are mainly confined to Dublin City Centre areas. Heroin and ecstasy abuse is also to be found in the suburbs of Dublin — but to a much lesser extent.

Let me stress that I attach the utmost importance to the fight against drugs. I recently requested the Garda Commissioner and his management team to focus particular attention on the task of dealing with this problem. The Garda authorities have established Drug Units in each of the five Garda Divisions in the Dublin Metropolitan Area and the activities of these units are co-ordinated through the Central Drug Squad. These Divisional Drug Units police the drug problem for each station and District in the Division. In addition, the Crime Task Force in each of the five Garda Divisions in the DMA have a responsibility for drug law enforcement.

At present the Drug Squad, which is part of the Central Detective Unit at Harcourt Square, is under the command of a Detective Chief Superintendent and they specifically target drug traffickers and dealers. Operational and intelligence back-up is provided by the Serious Crime Squad and Surveillance Units. Local Task Forces are established to deal with particular drug problems as they arise and these are disbanded when the problem has abated. All members of the Garda Síochána are empowered to deal with offences relating to drugs and enforce the law as part of their daily duties.