Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2004
376 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons convicted under section 5 of the Criminal Justice Act 1999; the number of persons who have received the mandatory sentence; his plans to tighten up the legislation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14440/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda that the number of persons convicted to date under section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 to 1984, as inserted by the Criminal Justice Act 1999, since it became law on 26 May 1999 stands at 180. Under this provision, the number of persons who had received prison sentences of ten years or more to date stands at 12.
I am further informed by the Garda that in the provision of these statistics, counting errors were identified in respect of previous figures supplied by the Garda to me concerning section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 to 1984, which I included in my reply to Question No. 130 of Thursday, 25 March 2004. This is a matter of regret.
I am concerned that serious drug trafficking should be severely punished. I have already indicated my concern at the low number of sentences of ten years or more imposed. In that respect, I have indicated that I am reviewing the penalty provisions of Part II of the Criminal Justice Act for the offence related to possession of drugs with value of €12,697 or more for the purpose of sale or supply. If I consider it necessary to do so, I will bring forward proposals to strengthen those provisions.
