Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 1

Written Answers - Garda Deployment.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

166 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí working in the drug squad in the Dublin metropolitan area; her views on the adequacy of these numbers in view of the escalating drug problem in Dublin; the plans, if any, she has to strengthen the drug squad in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2273/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The Garda authorities are responsible for the allocation of Garda personnel and resources. I have been informed by them that the total strength of the national drugs unit based at the Dublin metropolitan area headquarters is 48 members. In addition to the national unit there is currently a total of 77 gardaí attached to district/divisional drugs units in the Dublin metropolitan area. These local units liaise with the national drugs unit which in turn liaises with Interpol and Europol. There is a Garda inspector assigned permanently to the Europol drugs unit which is based in The Hague and he acts as this country's liaison officer with other member states of the European Union in relation to drugs trafficking and other related matters.

Drug units provide an essential specialist response to the drugs problem but their work must be complemented by the efforts of all members of the Force in the course of their normal duties. All members of the Garda Síochána receive basic training in drugs legislation and enforcement. There is an onus on all members as part of their normal policing duties to investigate and prosecute breaches of the Misuse of Drugs Acts. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the policing arrangements in the Dublin metropolitan area, including those relating to drug enforcement, are kept under continuous review and any adjustments made as necessary.