Written Answers. - Drugs Offences.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
403
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the degree to which co-operation is received from the police in other jurisdictions with particular reference to combating international drug dealing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12986/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
414
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the steps he proposes to take to combat the drugs problem with particular reference to the international drugs scene; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12997/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 403 and 414 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that ongoing co-operation with police services from other jurisdictions in tackling drug trafficking is both positive and beneficial. Co-operation is achieved in a number of ways, including: through the exchange of operational information on the activities of individual criminals and criminal organisations; through investigations and prosecutions at home and abroad in accordance with legislation governing mutual assistance in criminal matters.
Garda liaison officers are based in London, Paris, The Hague, Madrid, and at Europol and Interpol headquarters. Their presence facilities co-operation with the relevant law enforcement agencies in those jurisdictions and with the international institutions, especially in relation to drugs matters. Since 1994, Europol has been able to provide intelligence and analytical support to investigations into international drug smuggling operations.
All EU member states agree on the need to tackle the organised criminals who either smuggle drugs into the EU or, as in the case of certain synthetic drugs, manufacture them illegally in laboratories within the Union. The EU, as a result, has a co-ordinated strategy on drugs for the period 2000-04. It is designed to put more emphasis on prevention and on reducing drugs demand. It aims also, in accordance with the treaties, to reinforce the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking and to strengthen police, customs and judicial co-operation in these areas.
All member states agree also that maximum benefit should be derived from co-operation between their respective law enforcement authorities when investigating cross-border crime in any member state. To this end, the Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Bill 2003 gives effect to agreement at EU level, as foreseen in the Treaty on European Union, to set up such teams, as a first step, to combat trafficking in drugs in particular. All stages of the Bill will be taken in the Seanad between 14 and 20 May.
On a broader level, our particular legal framework reflects both international trends and measures tailored to meet our national situation in responding to the problem of drugs. Ireland is a party, for example, to the important multilateral UN conventions on drugs and psychotropic substances. The basic aim of the international drug control treaties is to limit the use of drugs to medical and scientific purposes only. They also provide a framework for international co-operation in achieving these objectives.
