Vol. 513 No. 6
378 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 660 of 26 January 2000, he will ask the Garda authorities to consider the provision of a local Garda drug unit based in the Finglas and Cabra districts and maintain a similar unit in the Blanchardstown area. [2999/00]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the drugs unit based at Blanchardstown Garda station covers the Finglas area, in addition to the areas of Blanchardstown and Cabra. This drugs unit works closely with uniform patrols, detective units, the crime task force, and the divisional traffic unit. The unit is comprised of one sergeant and eight gardaí and the Garda authorities have assured me that it operates with a high degree of efficiency and success.
As I stated in my reply to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question No. 660 of 26 January 2000, in addition to dedicated local drugs units, all members of the Garda Síochána in the Dublin metropolitan region have a responsibility for, and are tasked with, the enforcement of drugs legislation.
