Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Whether we are talking about the work of the armed response unit in Dublin or the work of the Criminal Assets Bureau, all of this is targeted at getting intelligence on and interrupting the work of criminal gangs, many of which are involved in the exploitation of people through trafficking, as well as in drugs criminality. All of the efforts of the broader work of An Garda Síochána is targeted at these criminal gangs. While the personnel in the drugs unit have a very specific role, I emphasise the point that the broader work of An Garda Síochána of interrupting the activities of criminal gangs clearly impacts on the availability of drugs. I am sure the Deputy accepts we have seen very significant seizures by the Garda in respect of the drugs trade, which continues to be extremely serious and on a huge scale not just in Ireland but internationally. I take the Deputy's point about the importance of this work.

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