Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

It is true to say that illegal drugs and their importation is a very large component of the issue of gangland crime in this country. To be fair, there is a question in regard to the related issue to which the Deputy refers.

With regard to the drugs issue generally, there is a special national drugs unit, comprising 60 gardaí of all ranks at headquarters, and across the country there are divisional drugs units with approximately 350 members who are specifically dedicated to the fight against drugs. They work in conjunction with the Customs and Excise Service and the Naval Service in regard to the importation of illegal drugs. Given the fact we have extended the surveillance legislation to the Defence Forces and the Revenue Commissioners as well as the Customs and Excise Service, on many occasions there is a crossover between those three agencies in the fight against drugs. The surveillance legislation will be of great benefit.

With regard to the issue raised by the Deputy, it is only fair to point out that this will be answered in response to a later question. I understand in regard to this issue generally that there is a private notice question for the Minister for Transport in regard to the granting of the licence in that case.

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