Darren O'Rourke
Question:
1117. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of drugs seizures in cases in which the monetary value of the drugs was in excess of €1 million in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [30736/21]
View answer
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, however it has not been possible to collate it in the time available. I will revert to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question Number 1117 of 15 June in which you requested the number of drugs seizures in cases in which the monetary value of the drugs was in excess of €1 million in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021.
You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the information was available.
I am now informed by the Garda authorities that due to the way this information is recorded on the Garda Síochána PULSE system, it is not possible to provide an answer to this question. Official figures on the types, weights/quantities and values of drugs seized are those provided by Forensic Science Ireland once the drugs have been analysed. These figures are published in the Commissioner’s Annual Reports which are available on the Garda website. The 2020 Annual Report of An Garda Síochána is currently being finalised.
Furthermore, there are multiple State agencies involved in the interdiction and seizure of drugs. Some of these agencies, such as the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners and the Irish Naval Service and these rest outside of my remit as Minister for Justice.
Figures on importation of drugs and other drugs incidents are publicly available on the CSO website https://data.cso.ie/table/CJA01 .
I hope this information is of assistance.
