Vol. 557 No. 1
401 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which he intends to deliver on his public promise made on 4 July 2002 to achieve a 50% rise in drug offences charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21366/02]
As I informed the House on 17 October last, some aspects of my address at the Garda Síochána graduation ceremony on 4 July 2002 were incorrectly represented in one of the national newspapers at the time. Rather than making any reference to increasing the numbers of persons charged with drugs offences, I did refer in my address to key a performance indicator in the national drugs strategy 2001-2008 which is to increase the volume of opiates and all other drugs seized by 25% by end 2004 and 50% by end 2008, using 2000 seizures as a base. These indicators reflect a major supply reduction objective of the strategy which is to reduce significantly the volume of illicit drugs available in Ireland, to arrest the dynamic of the existing markets and to curtail new markets as they are identified. A copy of my address at the graduation ceremony has already been lodged in the Oireachtas Library for the information of the House. Following the newspaper report to which I refer, an official of my Department contacted the newspaper in question to clarify the position as outlined above.
402 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who have been convicted of possession of illegal drugs valued at ?10,000 or more since the mandatory ten year sentence for this offence was introduced; and the number of those convicted of such offences who have received the 10 year sentences. [21367/02]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, according to their records, the number of persons convicted under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1999, since it came into force on 26 May 1999, up to 11 November 2002 is 130. The number of persons who have received prison sentences of ten years or more, as provided for in section 5 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1999, is five.
403 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of offenders who were arrested for possession of illegal drugs by the various Garda divisions; and the percentage of successful convictions which were obtained from the various Garda divisions in relation to these arrests. [21368/02]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the statistical information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the specific format in which it is sought. It would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and effort to compile specially which, as the Deputy will appreciate, would not be justified in circumstances where there are continuing demands on Garda resources. However, I refer the Deputy to the annual reports of an Garda Síochána which have been lodged in the Oireachtas Library, the most recent of which is in respect of the year ended 31 December 2000. The reports contain comprehensive statistics on drugs offences and related matters, including statistics in relation to offences where proceedings were commenced by division and drug type.
