Vol. 430 No. 5
134 Ms. Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the established cadre of gardaí assigned to the drug squad on the North side of Dublin; the actual number of officers currently serving in that capacity; if she will increase the number of officers in view of the increase in drug-related incidents in recent months; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I would direct the Deputy's attention to my reply to a previous Question No. 190 of 23 March last, dealing with Garda strength to tackle the drugs problem in the North Dublin city area.
In so far as the present question is concerned, the position is that a Divisional Task Force based at Santry, has a strength of two (2) Sergeants and eighteen (18) gardaí. This unit deals with local crime including drugs. In addition, two (2) gardaí are employed full-time on drug law enforcement.
A Crime Prevention Unit based at Fitzgibbon Street, has a strength of one (1) Sergeant and fourteen (14) gardaí. This unit deals with local crime including drugs, and two (2) gardaí from the unit have special responsibility for drug law enforcement.
In addition, a specialised drug unit based at Store Street with a strength of one (1) Detective Sergeant and four (4) Detective gardaí, concentrate on drug problems in the North inner city.
All these units are flexible and work together as required throughout the area. They have assistance as necessary from uniformed personnel, and District Detective Units.
Since September 1991 twenty-six (26) gardaí from the North and North Central Garda Division have completed special courses on Drug Law Enforcement with the Central Drug Squad at Harcourt Square. This squad comprises two (2) Detective Inspectors, and twenty-nine (29) Detective gardaí, and it operates throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Area, working closely with the units in the North city which I have mentioned. Furthermore, the services of the Serious Crime Squad and Surveillance Unit, under the control of a Detective Superintendent are available in any part of the city as required to tackle drug-related incidents.
