Tony Gregory
Question:3 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the increasing illegal market in heroin and cocaine and the many unsolved associated murders. [3046/03]
Ceisteanna – Questions. Priority Questions. - Crime Levels.
The Garda authorities have informed me that they are at present carrying out a study into illegal drug use and associated crime and this will give us a clearer picture in relation to the trends of drug misuse. I will be happy to inform the House of the outcome of that study when it is completed. In the meantime I can inform the House that, while there is no evidence to suggest any increase in the overall level of heroin use, cocaine seizures – as well as heroin seizures – have increased substantially, particularly last year. The Garda authorities have expressed concern at the apparent increase in cocaine use, especially in the Dublin city area.
There are indications that some of what have been referred to as gangland murders are linked to the drugs trade. I am aware of the public concern about these murders and the House will be aware that I recently met the Garda Commissioner and other senior Garda personnel to discuss crimes which might be put into the category of gangland or organised crime. I am completely satisfied that the necessary resources, both operational and financial, are being directed towards the containment and detection of such crimes.
My primary responsibility in relation to the drugs strategy, which recognises the need for a multifaceted approach to the drugs problem, is in the area of supply reduction. The objectives of the strategy in this regard are to reduce significantly the volume of illicit drugs available as well as to reduce access to all drugs among young people. In this context, I welcome the major successes of both the Garda Síochána and customs in terms of seizing drugs. The Garda Síochána policing plan for 2003 includes, as major priorities, the areas of organised crime and ensuring that the objectives of the drugs strategy are met.
I understand that joint actions by the Garda and the customs service will be an important element in 2003 and beyond. In addition, the increased level of European and other international co-operation will continue.
As well as all other Members of this House, I am acutely conscious of the deadly menace posed by the activities of drug traffickers and I assure the House that the Government will continue to devote the necessary resources to countering this evil trade.
What I was trying to establish in tabling this question was the Minister's view on whether a more effective strategy was required in this area, given the increasing number of murders that appear to be associated with drug gangs. There is no indication from his reply that he has anything new to offer in regard to this area or that he even believes there is a need for a new strategy.
Does the Minister accept that the most violent criminal gangs are now almost exclusively those involved in drug dealing? Does he further accept that the most effective strategy against such gangs is the strategy employed by the Criminal Assets Bureau? The Criminal Assets Bureau was set up in the aftermath of the murder of Veronica Guerin and its role – as I understood it having been one of those who argued for its establishment – was to target such criminal drug gangs. Since it was set up it appears to have gone all over the place in that it has become involved in dealing with planning corruption, the Real IRA, etc. Is there a need to refocus its attention on these criminal drug gangs to deal in an effective, co-ordinated way with the Garda? I believe there is.
There is also a case for localising or regionalising the Criminal Assets Bureau in order that it can get to grips with tackling such gang crime without being centralised in Dublin. It could do that in conjunction with a specialised Garda unit, as was effectively employed in aftermath of the murder of Veronica Guerin against the Gilligan gang. The gardaí who came together at that point were effectively used as a specialist Garda unit. They broke up that gang, but now other gangs, although many of them were operating at that time, have come together. Will the Minister take on board the suggestions I made and respond to some of them?
I welcome the Deputy's constructive approach to all these matters. If he has any suggestions which he believes I am missing, I am always open to receiving them.
In relation to CAB, it was not established exclusively to tackle drug related proceeds of crime but the proceeds of crime generally. It has been extremely effective across a wide range of criminality. I fully agree with the Deputy that at certain levels it is the most effective way of disrupting and indicting the activities of organised crime in relation to drugs.
The Deputy will be aware that there is a constant pattern of drug importations being accompanied by what I might loosely describe as a "goody bag" of automatic weapons and the like. This is indicative of the pattern to which the Deputy has referred, which is the ruthless, savage use of murder as a day-to-day side-show in the drugs trade, whether to punish people who default on debts, who lose consignments or who are suspected of informing the authorities. That pattern undoubtedly exists. Given that we are dealing, in some cases, with the underworld, it is very difficult, on occasions, to get reliable witnesses to come forward who will point to the guilty parties.
The Deputy's suggestion that CAB should be refocused or restructured on a regional basis is a novel one. I have not heard it before. As regards the effectiveness of CAB, I would need to be persuaded that fragmenting it or refocusing it is a good step rather than a bad one. It is internationally acclaimed as a model of its kind. I hope, with my opposite number in Northern Ireland, Jane Kennedy, there will be all-island participation between CAB and the new agency being established in Northern Ireland—
The time for this question has concluded.
—to ensure that the proceeds of crime are dealt with throughout the country.