Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I agree with the Deputy that we have a considerable problem with cocaine and crack cocaine as an emerging aspect of the cocaine problem. I agree with him that it would be great if we could devote more resources to the battle against drugs. However, Garda resources have been used on other issues, as the Deputy knows. I hope part of the peace dividend, once the various paramilitary organisations cease their activities, will be to release scarce Garda resources to that end. The Deputy will also appreciate that people close to him were the subject of interventions by the Garda Síochána in the south of Dublin city. It would be great if those detectives, instead of carrying out those types of operation, could spend their time arresting drug dealers.

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