Mr. John O'Driscoll:

In early days of the north inner city drugs task force, with the Tony Gregorys of the world, Mr. Stephen Courage and me from An Garda Síochána, we also had Dr. Joe Barry in the middle of it. For us, this was very important because in An Garda Síochána we did not know how best to treat people who, unfortunately, had got involved in drug use. We do not pretend to know how they should best be treated. In the holistic approach in the Garda we deal with law enforcement and will certainly enforce whatever legislation is decided on by everybody coming together in the interests of the victim. Drug users are victims in this business. We will play our part and provide whatever information we have. We certainly have huge sympathy, as Ms Metcalfe will state. We have dealt in a very sympathetic manner throughout the city, particularly from my experience of the north inner city, with people who, unfortunately, have become victims through using drugs.

With regard to intimidation, in the early days the problem was that people would not come to us with information on drug suppliers. Now drug suppliers, as well as drug users, come from within the community. Historically in the north inner city, dating back to the Lock-out, the relationship between gardaí and the community was poor. In the mid-1990s an element of trust was built. All of a sudden, others in the drugs unit and I could walk into houses in the north inner city and people were not afraid that we would be seen walking in. There was a genuine level of co-operation. This continues in the north inner city, as the assistant commissioner, being in charge of policing in Dublin, is aware.

Money lending has become intertwined with the drugs business and the people creating or causing the intimidation live in the community. We must go to those in the community and state we will do our best and whatever is possible, but we need their help, difficult and all as it is, and will do our damnedest to try to bring people before the courts to let them decide what should happen to them.

Interestingly, Ms Metcalfe has stated a shortage of gardaí is an issue, but according to Dr. Connolly's study, the main cause is unemployment and the main solution recommended is more gardaí. If one asks anybody what is the solution to unemployment, he or she will not say more gardaí. The problem has developed to such an extent that it manifests in a way which must be dealt with by the Garda. However, if unemployment is what is causing drug use - it is not a question of passing the buck because in interagency drug projects we all do our bit and sit around one table - solving unemployment is a major part of the solution.

We will continue to do the law enforcement bit and help with all of the other aspects to the best of our ability as an organisation.