The Government's overall policy to tackle the drug problem is set out in the national drugs strategy 2001-2008, Building on Experience. Responsibility for co-ordinating implementation of the strategy lies with the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is primarily responsible for policy with regard to supply reduction, including legislation.
One of the key performance indicators in the strategy is to increase drug seizures by 25% by 2004 and by 50% by 2008, using the 2000 seizures figures as a baseline. The Garda Síochána and the Customs and Excise service have already achieved considerable success in combating the problem of drugs supply. Data on street value of drug seizures is as follows: Garda seizures for 2000 —€20 million, 2001 —€45 million, 2002 —€49 million and 2003 —€100 million; and Customs and Excise seizures for 2000 —€11 million, 2001 —€60 million, 2002 —€34 million and 2003 —€21 million. The increase in drug seizures in recent years is indicative of an increase in demand for illicit drugs but it also indicates that the Garda Síochána and the Customs and Excise service are achieving considerable success in the area of supply reduction.
The establishment of specialist Garda units such as the national bureau of criminal investigation, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Garda bureau of fraud investigation and the Garda national drug unit, operating under the assistant commissioner in charge of national support services, has enabled the Garda Síochána to tackle organised crime, including drug trafficking, effectively.
Our legislative package for tackling organised crime is one of the toughest in Europe. The Garda Síochána has available to it a broad range of legislation to facilitate the fight against serious or organised crime. The Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 have been successfully used to deprive those engaged in criminal activity of their assets and continue to be some of the most significant legislative tools available in the fight against organised crime.
At an international level the Garda Síochána continues to work in close co-operation with both Europol and Interpol. In addition, Garda Síochána liaison officers are posted in the UK, the Netherlands, Spain and France. In June 2004, the Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Act 2004 was signed into law. This provides for the competent authorities of two or more member states, by mutual agreement, to carry out criminal investigations with a cross border dimension.
The European Arrest Warrants Act 2003, which came into effect on 1 January 2004, implemented the Council framework decision of 13 June 2002 on the European arrest warrant and the surrender procedures between member states of the EU. This Act simplifies extradition and surrender procedures between member states of the EU for offences such as illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Moreover, as a signatory to various conventions providing for mutual legal assistance, Ireland is in a position to provide assistance, on request, in drug related cases.
The efforts of the Garda Síochána and other State agencies continue to be brought to bear against those who would seek to profit from drug dealing. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has been assured by the Garda authorities that the level of resources employed in this area will remain under review with a view to making changes, as necessary, in the ongoing fight against drugs.
