Vol. 426 No. 2
7 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice her views on whether the availability of heroin in particular is again on the increase in view of the worsening crime problem in Dublin city and the high incidence of drug-related crime; and whether more specialised and increased Garda resources are necessary to confront the problem.
73 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice if she will take any special measures to address the problem where innocent people are being held to ransom by individuals who threaten to infect them with the AIDS virus; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 73 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no evidence to suggest any significant increase in the supply of heroin to this country. Preliminary Garda figures indicate an increase in the quantity of heroin seized in 1992 by comparison with that seized in 1991. The 1991 figure was however particularly low being the second lowest level of heroin seized in the ten year period 1983-92. The preliminary 1992 figure in fact equates with the 1990 figure and is 20 per cent less than the average heroin seizure figure for the decade concerned. In fact the Garda authorities have indicated to me that factors such as the very low percentage of pure heroin contained in the quantities seized and the increasing usage of heroin substitutes such as MST and methadone, would normally suggest a limited supply of heroin on the streets. The Garda authorities are keenly aware that there are some heroin dealing activities associated with certain areas of Dublin and very special attention is being given to these areas. Specific measures have been taken by the gardaí to counteract such activity and these measures have resulted in a considerable number of detections of drug related offences some of which the House will be aware of because of the media attention they have recently received.
I must stress that I do not believe that there is ever any room for complacency is so far as drug abuse generally or heroin abuse in particular is concerned. The evils associated with drug abuse are indeed reinforced in an era where AIDS has become an inescapable reality in society. I condemn in the strongest possible way those who profit from the sale of drugs, those who resort to crime to feed their addiction and, of course, those who have threatened innocent members of society with the deadly needles which are part of the culture and practice of their habit. For that reason I have given my full support to the Garda authorities in the measures which they are taking to deal with the drug problem. The Garda authorities treat drug enforcement as a priority. They monitor the drug situation in the country very carefully and constantly review and adapt their strategies for dealing with it. These strategies include close liaison with customs authorities at home and abroad and continuous international co-operation with police forces abroad so as to curb the supply of illicit drugs to this country.
All members of the Garda Síochána deal with law enforcement aspects of drug misuse within their operational area and there are now gardaí specifically trained in this area in every Garda division. In addition specific Garda drug squads operate in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, special drug units operate in particular areas of Dublin and similar specialist units are set up on a temporary basis in other areas as required.
A national drugs unit which was established in 1990 and which is based in Garda headquarters co-ordinates the Garda anti-drug efforts here and also acts as a liaison body with international drug enforcement agencies.
The allocation of manpower and other resources to specialist units such as drug enforcement is, of course, a matter for the Garda authorities and they have assured me that specialist drug units have been and will continue to be given the resources necessary to deal effectively with the problem.
The Garda authorities will continue to monitor the situation and I am confident that they will take all the drug enforcement measures necessary to deal effectively with the problem.
However, I would point out that drug law enforcement is only one aspect of the drug problem. Every member of society has a role to play as important as the Garda response.
Drug abuse causes major problems in society and the role of parents, teachers and other agencies caring for young people is as important as the Garda response. The need for a national strategy to tackle the drug problem on every front has been recognised by the Government and the Minister for Health launched, in 1991, the Government strategy to prevent drug misuse. This strategy sets realistic and achievable objectives for reduction both in the supply of and the demand for drugs.
The Deputy can be assured that the Government is determined that the problem of drug abuse here will be tackled and that the gardaí have all the resources they need to continue their resolute and effective handling of this problem.
Will the Minister explain the apparent conflict between the informaition she gave in her reply and the statement in the Irish Medical Times of 4 February 1993, to the effect that illicit heroin use which had previously stabilised——
The Deputy will be aware that quotations during Question Time are not in order. The time for dealing with Priority Questions is well nigh exhausted.
Is speech reading in order?
We have had two speeches and two supplementary questions.
The Chair has no control over Minister's statements. A brief relevant question, please, Deputy.
I would have asked the question if I had been allowed. It is important to ask this question. Can the Minister explain the conflict between the information she gave in her reply and the statement in the Irish Medical Times of 4 February 1993 to the effect that there was a marked increase in illicit heroin use in 1991-92?
The Deputy must obey me.
I am not quoting.
I have always been consistent in regard to quotations at Question Time. The Deputy is clearly quoting in my presence. A brief question, Deputy, otherwise I will proceed to other questions.
Does the Minister accept that despite the best efforts of the Garda drug units there is now as much heroin available in Dublin city as at any time in the past and that this is borne out by recent published figures? There was a threefold increase in the amount of heroin discovered during Garda raids in 1992 over 1991. This situation is rapidly getting——
I want to help the Deputy.
You are not doing so, a Cheann Comhairle.
I am sure Deputy Gregory has an eye on the clock, like myself and other Members. I must ask him to bring his remarks to a conclusion. The time for dealing with Priority Questions is exhausted.
Does the Minister accept that this situation is rapidly getting out of control in some areas of the capital city, including the inner city, and that greater resources of manpower for specialised Garda units are urgently required to concentrate on this problem?
On the figures and information I have from the Garda authorities, I do not accept Deputy Gregory's point that drug abuse in the city and the illicit use of heroin is out of control. The Garda authorities inform me — and I accept what they say — that they are in control of the situation. There are certain areas where there are difficulties and the Garda are tackling those. I have informed the Commissioner that whatever resources are necessary will be made available to tackle the problem.
We will move on to other questions.
