Vol. 542 No. 2
465 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to implement paragraph 10 of the Government's National Drug Strategy to provide drugs units associated with the Garda Síochána in all of the areas of the country where they do not already exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter with particular reference to Navan and County Meath. [24248/01]
The deployment of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am informed by the Garda that the Commissioner has established a working group comprising senior Garda management personnel to examine all of the relevant action points in the national drugs strategy 2001 to 2008. This examination includes the action point relating to making additional resources available to existing drugs units, and the establishment of similar units in areas where they do not currently exist.
As regards the Louth-Meath division, I am also informed by the Garda that there are 12 gardaí currently engaged in drug and general crime duties within the division, of whom five are based in Navan. All Garda operational personnel have a responsibility for and are tasked with the enforcement of drugs legislation. Furthermore, the Garda national drugs unit supplements local gardaí in particular cases.
