asked the Minister for Justice the type, quanity and number of seizures of illegal drugs confiscated in 1987 and 1988; and the resources available at present to the Garda to combat and deal with drug pushers.
Written Answers. - Seizures of Illegal Drugs.
121.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to seizures of illegal drugs is set out in the Garda Commissioner's annual Report on Crime, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library.
Permanent units of the Drug Squad have been established in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. In addition all members of the Force have a responsibility in relation to the prevention of drug abuse as part of their general duties and well over 3,000 members from all Garda divisions have completed a special intensive training course designed to ensure that in each Garda division there is a substantial number of members with advanced training in the prevention and detection of drug abuse. The Garda authorities have informed me that they are satisfied that the resources allocated to combat the drugs problem are adequate and that it is being tackled with a considerable measure of success. They continue to monitor the drugs situation very closely and their strategies for dealing with it and the level of resources allocated to it are kept under review.