Vol. 440 No. 2
72 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the measures, if any, which can be taken against countries where it is recognised that such countries support or promote the exportation of illegal hard drugs; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Within the European Union through co-operation between member states and the setting up of Europol every action is being taken to prevent the spread, the use of and trafficking in hard drugs in the member states.
Within the United Nations a drugs control programme has been established to combat the production and spread of drugs and to take international action against drug traffickers. Ireland participates and supports all action in this area.
73 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice in respect of each of the years 1981 to 1983, the number of persons charged with drug offences, the number, value and amount of drug seizures; and if she will give comparison figures for each of the years 1991 to 1993.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that information in relation to the number of drug seizures, the quantity of drugs seized and the number of persons charged is contained in the Garda Commissioner's annual report on crime, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The Commissioner's report for 1993 will be published later this year.
Because of the number of variable factors involved in the illegal sale of drugs, the value of drugs seized can only be estimated very roughly, if at all. It would not therefore be possible to give an accurate value for drugs seized.
