Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
455. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons who failed Naval Service drug testing in February 2022; the consequences of this; and his plans to address drug use in the Naval Service. [14417/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the matter referenced by the Deputy is currently under investigation by the Military Authorities, in accordance with the relevant Defence Forces Regulations and associated Administrative Instructions, it would be inappropriate of me to comment further on it at this time.
However, I can advise that the unlawful possession, supply, or use, of a controlled drug is incompatible with membership of the Defence Forces. The Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service is committed to holding the Naval Service to a high standard and maintaining a zero tolerance of the use of illegal substances.
A number of measures have been put in place to maintain a drugs-free society within the Defence Forces. These measures include: Pre-Enlistment Screening, An Education and Training Programme, Compulsory Random Drugs Testing and Targeted Drugs Testing.
All members of the Defence Forces, irrespective of rank, with the exception of members of the Army Nursing Service and the Chaplaincy Service, are liable to be tested under the Compulsory Random Drug Testing (CRDT) programme, which was introduced in 2003. Individuals are chosen at random for testing, which is not supported by a warrant, probable cause or any level of particular suspicion.
Personnel who test positive for controlled substances may be subject to a range of sanctions up to and including Discharge or Retirement from the Defence Forces.
In the first instance, where a positive test result is returned, the member concerned is afforded the opportunity to make representations, to the relevant Military Authority to show cause as to why they should be retained in service.
On the basis of these representations, a Formation Commander or the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support), may determine that the member should be discharged/retired or may permit the member to remain in service, conditional on their participation in Targeted Drugs Testing (TDT) for a specified period. During this period the member will be placed on administrative duties, which means for example that they cannot engage in any operational activity, training for operational activity or undergo any military course, which involves them being armed.
In addition, the Officers Commanding the Naval Service units have been instructed to increase the frequency of briefings to all personnel and the Naval Service Assistant Provost Marshall has been instructed to increase Military Police presence.
During 2021 the Defence Forces drug testing team conducted 388 random drug tests in a total of 14 different locations. Of these, there were 7 positive results which represents 1.08% of the numbers tested. This is broadly in line with the general trend over the past number of years.
