John O'Donoghue
Question:78 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the total number of gardaí; and the number of gardaí working exclusively on drugs in the Kerry division. [16588/95]
Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.
Joe Walsh
Question:79 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice the total number of gardaí of all ranks; and the number of gardaí working exclusively on drugs in the west Cork division. [16589/95]
I propose to take Question Nos. 78 and 79 together.
The Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda manpower and resources to individual areas. They have informed me that the present strength of the Kerry division is 230 and that of the Cork West Division is 238.
While specialist drugs units have a valuable contribution to make, there is a limit to the extent to which available resources ought to be allocated to them. The Garda authorities believe that a more effective response is to provide for specialised anti-drug training of a much greater number of members of the Force who use that specialised training while also carrying out other police duties. I must be guided by them in their professional judgment in this matter.
In line with this policy, 40 members of the Kerry division have completed a specialised course in drug law enforcement. There is one member engaged full time on drugs enforcement in the Kerry division. In addition ten gardaí from Kerry and six from Cork West have undergone extensive courses with the Drugs Squad at Harcourt Square on the enforcement of drug related legislation which also involved practical experience.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is one inspector attached to Bandon, the headquarters of the west Cork division, who has overall responsibility for drug related matters and enforcement in that division and there is also a sergeant who is employed exclusively on drug related duties. These members co-ordinate intelligence on drug related matters and organise divisional resources in operational matters.
I have also been informed that during 1993 20 members of the west Cork division, the majority of whom are attached to maritime stations, attended a specially convened drugs conference in Bandon. Personnel from the Drugs Liasion Office and from Customs and Excise addressed this conference. I understand that the juvenile liaison officers attached to both divisions are actively involved in organising and conducting seminars and talks for secondary school students, parents groups and interested organisations.
The Garda authorities have informed me that the members of the Kerry and Cork West divisions work in close co-operation and with other drugs units attached to adjoining areas. They also liaise regularly with the National Drugs Unit which in turn liaises with Interpol and Europol. There is a Garda inspector assigned permanently to the Europol Drugs Unit which is based in the Hague and he acts as this country's liaison officer with other member states of the European Union in relation to drugs trafficking and other related matters.
I must stress that all members of the Garda Síochána receive basic training in drug legislation and enforcement. There is an onus on all members as part of their normal policing duties to investigate and prosecute breaches of the Misuse of Drugs Acts. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the policing arrangements, including those relating to drug-law enforcement, are kept under continuous review and any adjustments considered appropriate will be made.