Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 5

Written Answers. - Drug Traffickers.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

46 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if he will give details of the number of drug traffickers operating in this country at present; if his attention has been drawn to the methods used by traffickers to encourage drug usage-abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Flynn)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that through intelligence gathering and surveillance operations they are aware that a small number of persons are involved in the importation of drugs into this country. However, there is no evidence of any increase in the number of criminals with the financial resources and the organisational skills necessary to import large amounts of drugs into this country.

I would like to assure the House that the problem of drugs is one which will continue to receive the highest priority. The Garda authorities monitor the situation very closely and they constantly review and adapt their strategies to deal with it. These strategies include close liaison with customs authorities and continuous international co-operation with police forces abroad so as to curb the supply of illicit drugs in this country.

Intelligence-based strategies are extremely important in combating the importation of drugs and the closest international co-operation is therefore essential. Such co-operation is being furthered and enhanced in a number of areas in which my Department is involved. The TREVI Group has as its principal aim to encourage and facilitate police co-ordination and co-operation in Europe against criminal activity including drug trafficking, and it concentrates on practical measures and initiatives to achieve this. In addition, the European Council has decided that a Europol Drugs Unit should be established as soon as possible to act as a centralised exchange and co-ordination unit for, in particular, drug-related information between member states.

Initiatives have also been taken in the legislative area. One of the most effective measures which can be taken against drug traffickers is to deprive them of the profits gained from their illegal activity and work on a Bill dealing with this matter is proceeding as a matter of priority. I expect to be able to introduce this Bill at an early date.

While every effort is made to deal with drug abuse through law enforcement, this alone cannot solve the problem. Every member of society has a role to play and this role can be as important as the Garda response. The Government is aware that there is a need to tackle the drug problem on every front through a national drug strategy. As part of this work my colleague, the Minister for Health, last year launched the Government Strategy to prevent drug misuse, which sets realistic and achievable objectives for the reduction both in the supply of and demand for drugs.

I would like to assure the Deputy and the House that the drug problem has and will continue to be the subject of ongoing attention by the relevant authorities.