Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 3

Written Answers. - Drug Legislation Enforcement.

John V. Farrelly

Ceist:

365 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will establish a Garda unit in Navan, County Meath dedicated solely to the enforcement of drug legislation; the number of units established throughout the country; the towns and cities they are located in; the number of Garda personnel involved in each of these units; and if there is need for such a unit in Navan to cover County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5471/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I am informed by the Garda authorities that a crime/drugs unit is based in Navan. The unit is engaged, inter alia, in the investigation and detection of drugs related crime. The Garda authorities have informed me that that they have no plans at present to establish another unit in Navan dealing with drugs.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that, based on available information, there are currently 44 drugs/crime units established throughout the country:

Dublin Metropolitan AreaPearse Street

Store Street

Kilmainham

Coolock

Clontarf

Santry

Sundrive Road

Tallaght

Dun Laoghaire

Bray

Dundrum

Blanchardstown

Ballyfermot

Clondalkin

Ronanstown

Eastern RegionMullingar

Portlaoise

Tullamore

Naas

Newbridge

Carlow

Drogheda

Dundalk

Navan

Ashbourne

Western RegionGalway City

Ennis

South Eastern Region

Waterford

Kilkenny

Clonmel

Northern Region Sligo Monaghan LetterkennyBallyshannon

Donegal

Buncrana

Milford

Glenties

Southern AreaAnglesea Street

Togher

Gurranabraher

Mayfield

Tralee

Henry Street

For operational reasons it is not the practice to disclose the strengths of individual operational units.

In addition to the above local units, the Garda National Drugs Unit is also involved in dealing with drug trafficking. The unit co-ordinates large scale operations against those engaged in drug dealing-trafficking, investigates such cases and assists local units.