Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together.

The following tabular statement provides the latest available information on drug seizures for 2007 and 2008. It shows seizures of a total of €167.5 million in 2007 and in excess of €200 million in 2008. Given the covert nature of the activity, it is not possible to give a reliable estimate of the proportion of drugs coming into the country that these figures represent. While it is true that some international studies attempt to estimate the proportion of overall drugs seized to production, it is not a reliable guide to the situation in any particular country. In particular, such rule of thumb figures cannot reflect increased enforcement levels in a country.

The most recent CSO figures referred to by Deputy Flanagan show an increase of 25.4% in the overall total of drugs offences recorded for 2008 in comparison with 2007. It is important to emphasise that, of their nature, drug offences are only recorded as a result of enforcement activity. For example, possession of drugs for supply is only recorded as an offence where the law enforcement agencies have detected the offence and pursued it. The statistics in question, therefore, represent increased levels of enforcement and should lead to commendation of the efforts of those involved.

The House will be aware from media reports and elsewhere of the relentless action being taken, especially by An Garda Síochána, in pursuing the activities of drugs gangs and the considerable success it has had through making major seizures and arrests. These successes are inevitably reflected in the recording of an increased number of drug offences, but it would be a pity if, through some misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the statistics, this was to be counted as a failure rather than a success of its enforcement strategies.

That is not in any way to underestimate the extent of the problem of drug abuse and the need to devote considerable resources to tackle it, which is exactly what is being done. Through ongoing specific initiatives and intelligence-led operations, An Garda Síochána continues to seize substantial quantities of illegal drugs and identify those involved in the importation, distribution, sale and supply of illegal drugs.

At present some 379 members of the force are specifically attached to the divisional drug units and 60 gardaí are attached to the national drugs unit. They, in turn, are supported by the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the organised crime unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau. I have secured increased funding of 15% for CAB this year. The Garda works closely with the Customs and Excise and the Naval Service under the umbrella of the joint task force on drugs as well as with international colleagues.

Among recent and ongoing initiatives are the establishment of the organised crime unit on a permanent footing, our involvement in the establishment and operation of the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre in Lisbon, strengthened provisions in the Criminal Justice Acts 2006 and 2007 and the ringfencing of €21 million this year for Operation Anvil, which represents an increase on last year. I am confident the legislation that I will introduce shortly dealing with surveillance will be especially valuable in tackling drugs gangs.

Members of the House will accept that we cannot tackle the problem of drug misuse through law enforcement measures alone. We must tackle the demand for drugs and, in this context, I can assure the House that my Department, and all the agencies under its aegis, are co-operating fully in the development of the national drugs strategy for the period 2009 to 2016, which is being drawn up by my colleague the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy John Curran.

The following table provides details of the quantities and estimated street value of the most significant drugs analysed by the Forensic Science Laboratory for 2007 and the provisional figures for 2008, up to and including 25 November 2008.

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