Vol. 427 No. 6
113 Mr. Mulvihill asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to acquire office accommodation for the national drugs squad; if so, when; where she intends to locate these headquarters; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a National Drug Administration office with responsibility for co-ordination of national drug law enforcement and international liaison is based at Garda Headquarters.
There is also a central Drug Squad at Harcourt Square which has responsibility for drug law enforcement in the Dublin Metropolitan Area. In addition, there are specialised units in various Dublin stations, which are set up in response to drug activities in local areas. There are also drug squads in Cork, Limerick and Galway. Every Garda division has members who have received specialist training in the areas of drug abuse which enable them to deal with drug related crime in their Division.
I am also informed by the Garda authorities that they have no plans to change these arrangements which they consider to be satisfactory. The question of acquisition of accommodation does not therefore arise.
A National Drugs team has also been established by the Revenue Commissioners. Units of the team will be based at locations throughout the country with a head office located in Dublin. The question of accommodation for these units is of course a matter for the Minister for Finance.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that an excellent system of liaison exists between the drug enforcement agencies which facilitates a co-ordinated and effective effort against drug trafficking nation-wide.
