Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 1

Written Answers. - Drug Seizures.

Jack Wall

Question:

218 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action, if any, he will take to protect youths against the sale of ecstasy drugs as highlighted in a newspaper (details supplied) on 1 February 2000; the number of arrests in relation to the sale of this drug; the number of raids on nightclubs as potential sale outlets of this drug; the number of arrests as a result of these raids; the number of successful prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3672/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I assure the Deputy that both the Garda Commissioner and I are totally committed to tackling the supply of all illicit drugs, including ecstasy.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that provisional figures for 1999 indicate that in excess of 210,000 ecstasy tablets were seized and over 4,800 grams of ecstasy. The number of cases involving ecstasy where proceedings were commenced was 475 in 1997 and 439 in 1998.

The Licensing (Combating Drug Abuse) Act, 1997, provides an additional mechanism for the gardaí to deal with drug abuse in public houses and nightclubs.

In December 1997 Operation Nightcap was set up and co-ordinated by the Garda national drugs unit. The operation is designed to target the sale and distribution of controlled drugs in nightclubs and licensed premises. The Garda authorities have informed me that since the start of operation Nightcap the number of persons charged and convicted is 87 and the number of premises closed is seven under the operation. In addition, I am informed by the Garda authorities that 25 warning notices under the Licensing (Combating Drug Abuse) Act, 1997, were served on licensees in 1999.