Vol. 495 No. 4
329 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to having a special drugs unit established for the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20330/98]
The Garda national drugs unit has a national brief and, in drug related operations, is directly involved in policing the Border counties. There are also divisional drug units, in the Northern region, which regularly liaise with the national drugs unit in relation to specific suspects operating in their respective divisions. In addition, many members of An Garda Síochána, including those based in the Border counties, have received training in drug related policing.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are no immediate plans to set up a structure, such as a special Border drugs unit, as outlined by the Deputy.
