Vol. 560 No. 3
377 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amounts and types of illegal drugs seized by the Garda Síochána for the last available year of recorded statistics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2793/03]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought by the Deputy is available in the Garda Síochána annual reports which have been lodged in the Library, the most recent of which is in respect of the year ended 31 December 2001. The reports contain comprehensive statistics on drugs seizures and related matters, including statistics on the amounts and types of drugs seized.
378 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of successful convictions secured in the last available year of recorded statistics for the possession of illegal drugs; the type of drug and the average quantity involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2794/03]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested. It would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and effort to compile which, as the Deputy will appreciate, would not be justified in circumstances where there are continuing demands on Garda resources. However, I draw the Deputy's attention to the Garda Síochána annual reports which have been lodged in the Library, the most recent of which is in respect of the year ended 31 December 2001. The reports contain comprehensive statistics on drug offences including particulars of drugs seized; the number of possession, supply, obstruction and other offences; the number of persons prosecuted by age and gender; and the number of offences where proceedings commenced in each Garda division by type of drug.
