Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, to which the Deputy refers. The UNODC 2013 drugs report indicates a worrying increase, of up to 36%, in poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, some of which, as the Deputy suggested, will almost inevitably end up in the European Union and Ireland. We are all aware of the challenging transition Afghanistan is undergoing, a transition taking place in a volatile security and political environment. The European Union is devising a new partnership strategy for engagement in Afghanistan post-2014. This is part of an overall regional and international effort that aims to support Afghanistan in its transition to democracy - this effort has an emphasis on respect for human rights and the rule of law - and in its transition to a healthy economic model by moving away from dependence on the narco-economy. Regional co-operation in dealing with this issue is essential, as is the strengthening of border controls. Key partners such as Iran have an important role to play and the United Nations and the European Union continue to provide funding and technical assistance to help transit countries and neighbouring states. The new European Union strategy will also aim to assist the Afghan Government to create new alternative livelihoods for Afghans currently engaged in poppy production. Saffron, for example, is a particularly high value alternative crop which may offer some potential in this regard.

The Deputy will be aware that poppy cultivation, while perhaps providing a lucrative livelihood for the few, also hurts the many engaged in its cultivation, production and distribution. It is estimated that approximately 1 million Afghans are addicted to heroin, a product derived from the poppy plant. Moreover, drug trafficking has established links with other forms of organised crime, corruption, terrorism and human exploitation, creating a vicious economic circle.

I imagine the Deputy will agree that the European demand for drugs is part of the problem that needs to be addressed, with the issue of supply. The European Union policy on reducing drug supply and demand is set out in the EU drugs strategy 2013-20. Our national drug strategy which is based on the same principles focuses on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research.

The issues to which the Deputy refers are the subject of ongoing discussions in the European Union and other international fora. At EU level, these issues are dealt with through the relevant European Union Council working parties such as the Asia Oceania working party, COASI, as well as the horizontal working party on drugs. At a broader multilateral level, the Paris pact initiative is an international partnership aimed at combating Afhgan opiates trafficking, consumption and related problems in countries along the Afghan opiates trafficking routes. The United Nations General Assembly special session on illicit drugs is scheduled to take place in New York in September 2016.

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