Vol. 451 No. 6
59 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Finance the proposals, if any, he has for addressing the drug problem in Dublin; the role he envisages for his Department in enforcing the law against drug dealers; the role of customs officers in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7089/95]
73 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has for utilising the resources and powers of the Revenue Commissioners in the fight against drug abuse in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7090/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 73 together.
As I informed the House in response to another question today, the Revenue Commissioners have committed very substantial resources to the battle against the illegal importation of drugs, most notably by the formation of the Customs National Drugs Team, comprising over 70 staff, in 1992. The Deputy will be aware that major seizures of drugs have been made by customs in recent years, including the large seizure of cannabis resin at Dublin Port last week. Every effort will continue to be made by customs, in co-operation with the other State agencies involved, to prevent smuggled drugs from reaching th streets in Dublin and elsewhere in the country.
The customs service is responsible for detecting and preventing drug smuggling and, apart from the specialist Customs National Drugs Team staff, customs staff at ports and airports play an important part in detecting illegal imports of drugs. Responsibility for drug law enforcement within the country, on the other hand, is the responsibility of the Garda Síochána.
