Vol. 473 No. 6
67 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the procedures available to communities to address anti-social behaviour, particularly drug dealing and drug pushing; her views on existing successful community reaction and policing of their areas in the fight against drugs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2029/97]
With regard to the first part of the question I would urge anyone who is aware of drug dealing or any other anti-social behaviour in their area to report the matter to the Garda who will take appropriate action. The Garda are committed to working with local communities as shown by Operation Dóchas which provides for a strong visible presence of Garda in each district in Dublin, working with community leaders and local residents in each area. This operation has already resulted in an increase in the quantity of drugs seized and an increase in arrests of those suspected of being involved in drugs. I would also draw the Deputy's attention to provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1996, which was published by the Minister for the Environment last December and which is primarily designed to address problems arising from drug dealing and serious anti-social behaviour in the context of local authority housing. The Bill will also give health boards discretion to refuse or withdraw supplementary welfare allowance assistance in respect of private rented accommodation in the case of certain persons who have been evicted or excluded from, or refused local authority housing on grounds of serious anti-social behaviour such as drug dealing.
The Deputy in the second part of his question refers to existing successful community reaction and policing. I appreciate the concerns of those people who have taken to the streets to show their anger at the grave damage which is being done by drug dealers in their communities and it is clear that the vast majority of those people are law abiding and that their only concern is to improve the quality of life for their children and future generations. However, I wish to make it clear that the actions of a small number of people in some areas who have taken the law into their own hands cannot be condoned. These type of actions, apart from being illegal, merely move the problem to another area. It is in all our interests that any anti-social behaviour, particularly drug dealing, be reported to the Garda so that those involved may be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
