Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I will look at any suggestions. On the Deputy's point, I have seen the Garda operate in licensed premises that got out of control. The searches were done under the misuse of drugs legislation. The Garda quotes in its search warrants that it has the power to search anyone wherever they have reasonable cause to believe there has been a drug offence, including simple possession. The Garda has that power, which I have seen operating. It depends on how it operates in different areas. I will raise the Deputy's suggestion but, as I have seen it done in some places, it can obviously be done in other places.

We have raised the other legislative measures, such as on the protection of witnesses, with the Garda. It is not attached to the measure. It says that it is satisfied with its powers and how it operates those powers in the fight against drug barons. It has some concerns about fighting in another way that I need not go into. I will raise these issues.

The Garda divisions and Criminal Assets Bureau have made this their key issue in their policing priorities. They have stated that they will have enhanced liaison arrangements so that people engaging in drug dealing and the criminal elements involved — the main people bringing in large quantities of drugs — can be caught and charged under legislation passed by this House that is quite draconian. We will continue to ensure that the Garda has sufficient resources to tackle the problem but as long as there is a market, others will step forward to continue this dastardly trade even as we put people away and see that they are sentenced.

Those who use drugs are not only putting their own lives in danger, as seen recently, but they incur enormous health care costs on the rest of society. Everybody should take a tougher line. People do not tolerate what is happening in their communities. The powers are there to put pressure on communities, both from the Garda and society generally. I will gladly bring any suggestions that are made to the Garda. The new Commissioner and the divisions want to continue with and build on their work under former Commissioner Conroy and to try to crush the people involved in drug activity. It is for the rest of us to try to convince those who use drugs and believe it to be in some way socially acceptable in pubs, clubs, halls, their homes or anywhere else.

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