Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

Many questions need to be asked and it is a pity the debate will not be longer. It is perceived the Garda gives immunity to drug dealers and permits them to continue their operations with impunity. What practices and protocols govern the Garda's engagements with informers? The perception has been borne out by the facts and anybody living in an affected community will attest to drug dealers operating in this way. Who oversees such engagements? Does the Minister agree there should be no case where the importation of drugs and associated lethal weaponry into the State by drugs gangs is permitted on the basis that it might lead to the arrest of other criminals?

Does the Minister further agree it is time to concentrate on actions and not on creating laws, given sufficient laws are in place to address this issue? Will the Minister consider implementing the pilot programme recently run in Blanchardstown, the dial to stop drug dealing scheme, throughout Dublin and the State? People do not have the confidence to contact the Garda directly but this scheme might provide a way for people with information who are afraid to do so. Currently, they do not experience an appropriate Garda response and they are left on their own if they do their civic duty. This might be a cost effective way to address this.

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