Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The Central Statistics Office's recent publication for the first time of the provisional headline crime statistics for the third quarter of 2006 is welcome in providing further expertise and independence in the compilation of such statistics and in acting as an important aid in informing policy formulation and public opinion.

While being mindful of the need for caution in the interpretation of such statistics, especially when attempting to extrapolate any trends over short periods, the CSO report provides us with important data in regard to drug offences statistics and trends. Unlike other serious crimes such as murder, armed robbery, rape, burglaries and the like, the drug figures in the CSO statistics reflect successful Garda activity in combating the drugs menace. I, therefore, welcome the increased volume of detections and seizures that these figures represent.

On the basis of what we all know is happening in society, I would be worried if the figures were going down at this stage because that would reflect a lack of Garda success. Bearing in mind that there is a significant drugs problem in Ireland, we should be careful not to say it is scandalous that the number of offences in the CSO figures has gone up because it is indicative of Garda activity and detections. It would be worrying if they were going down without any adequate explanation.

Some of the key information which the report provides in this regard includes the following: there is an 8.6% increase in the total number of drugs offences recorded for the first three quarter period of 2006 in comparison to the equivalent period for 2005; there is a 23.8% increase in the total number of drugs offences recorded for the third quarter period of 2006 in comparison to the equivalent third quarter period for 2005. That shows the trend of enforcement and detection is going in the right direction. There was a sizeable increase of 153, or 25.8%, in the number of offences relating to the possession of drugs for sale or supply of drugs offences recorded in the third quarter period of 2006 compared with the third quarter period of 2005. The trend shows that drugs are increasingly being found in bulk. While the Government views with concern any apparent rise in the level of illegal drugs being trafficked into the country, seizures are also a reflection of the strength of activity by the Garda in targeting the drugs trade. The issue of drugs is dictated by global developments and not confined to any country.

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