Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 4

Written Answers. - Liaison in Respect of Drug Dealers.

Tony Gregory

Question:

109 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice if a liaison exists between her Department and-or the gardaí with the Department of Social Welfare and/or the Revenue Commissioners regarding known drug dealers who, in certain instances to which the Garda authorities attention has been drawn, are purchasing houses, new cars and other such items while continuing to claim social welfare benefits.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

The primary responsibility of the gardaí in relation to persons suspected of dealing in-drugs is to secure their conviction for offences under the appropriate provisions of the criminal law.

All information given to the gardaí or coming to their notice during the course of a criminal investigation is confidential. A conviction is a matter of public record to which all State agencies have access.

As to the general question of pursuing the assets of those convicted of drug trafficking and other serious offences, the Deputy will be aware that the Criminal Justice (No. 3) Bill — which is at present awaiting Report Stage in the Dáil — provides a comprehensive range of measures in this regard.

The question of securing the optimum co-ordination and co-operation between the various law enforcement agencies that have a role to play in the fight against drugs, is being addressed in a report being prepared in my Department at present.