Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister frequently mentions here and elsewhere the issue of targeted campaigns by the Garda Síochána, smarter and more modern policing and doing things differently. He also talks of using resources wisely. At the same time he argues that everything is down to the operational discretion of the Garda Commissioner. Nevertheless, the dedicated drugs unit in Cavan and Monaghan, which has been highly successful, has been stood down. How many more dedicated drugs units have been stood down across the country? Why does the Minister not have an input in the re-establishment of dedicated drugs units, which have been very effective in curbing criminality around drugs and their proliferation? Why does the Minister not take ownership of that through the annual police plan, which he ultimately signs off? How many dedicated drugs units have been stood down?

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