Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 11 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 2

Written Answers. - Drugs Enforcement Agency Proposal.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

29 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline his views on combining the resources of the Garda, the Army, the Naval Service, Customs and other relevant State agencies to establish a drugs enforcement agency.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Flynn)

I am not aware of any convincing arguments for the establishment of a Drugs Enforcement Agency.

Drug law enforcement efforts in this country are co-ordinated by the Garda National Drugs Unit which was set up in 1990 and which is located in Garda Headquarters. There is excellent cooperation between the Garda and Customs authorities which has resulted in many successful joint Garda and Customs operations. The services of the Air Corps and Naval Service can, and are, provided as an aid to Garda and Customs authorities as required.

The Garda authorities have assured me that these inter-agency liaison arrangements are a practical and effective way of dealing with the drug problems in this country.

I am of course concerned that there should be maximum co-ordination of drug enforcement effort particularly in relation to the open border situation which will exist from 1 January next. I can assure the House that the necessary arrangements are being made to ensure that the agencies involved can operate the most effective and co-ordinated programme of enforcement to meet the demands which will be presented in the new open borders situation.