Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 June 2005
211 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the discussions he has had with the Garda Commissioner regarding the increase in the availability of crack cocaine and heroin in the south west inner city; and the steps he will take to tackle this problem. [18664/05]
View answer212 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the discussions he has had with the Garda Commissioner regarding the increase in the availability of crack cocaine and heroin in Ballyfermot; and the steps he will take to tackle this problem. [18665/05]
View answer213 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the discussions he has had with the Garda Commissioner regarding the increase in the availability of crack cocaine and heroin in the Inchicore area; and the steps he will take to tackle this problem. [18666/05]
View answer214 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the discussions he has had with the Garda Commissioner regarding the increase in the availability of crack cocaine and heroin in the Crumlin area; and the steps he will take to tackle this problem. [18667/05]
View answer215 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the discussions he has had with the Garda Commissioner regarding the increase in the availability of crack cocaine and heroin in the Drimnagh area; and the steps he will take to tackle this problem. [18668/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 211 to 215, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware, operational matters are an issue for the management of the Garda Síochána. However, I am in regular contact with the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána on matters of importance. In this context I have requested information on the suggested increased availability of crack cocaine alluded to by the Deputy and I will be in communication on this specific issue in due course.
However, on the issue of policing in the areas concerned, I am informed by the Garda Síochána that the south west inner city is the subject of high visibility policing in the form of uniformed gardaí, detective units, the divisional crime task force, the special resource unit, the Garda mountain bike unit and community policing units. The area is also the subject of constant attention of district drugs units.
I am further informed by the Garda Síochána that gardaí from Ballyfermot Garda station, including community policing personnel, patrol the Ballyfermot area on foot and by mobile patrol in order to prevent and detect crimes. They are supplemented by members of the divisional crime task force and traffic units and the district detective and drugs units.
The Inchicore area is policed by gardaí based at Kilmainham station and consists of patrolling by uniformed gardaí, detective units, the divisional crime task force, the special resource unit, the Garda mountain bike unit and the community policing unit. This area also receives constant attention from the district drugs unit based at Kevin Street station and many notable successes have been achieved in recent times in terms of drug seizures and arrests of offenders.
I am further informed that there is a dedicated drugs unit based in the Sundrive Road Garda station which is proactive in targeting suppliers and street dealers in the Crumlin and Drimnagh areas. The gardaí in these locations conduct joint drug operations with other cities and national drugs units. Operation Cleanstreet, which is in operation in the areas in question, targets on-street drug dealing as well as drug dealing in licensed premises.
