James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this very important matter. I am acutely aware of the impact that open drug dealing and the associated intimidation is having on communities across the country. Organised criminal activity, including drug dealing, represents a serious threat to community safety but it is also important to remember that drug-related intimidation and open drug dealing cause sustained and significant damage to communities over time, contributing to a lower quality of life for local residents and an erosion of community esteem.

The continued disruption of the supply of illicit drugs, including crack cocaine, remains a priority for An Garda Síochána and the other State agencies tasked with responsibilities in this regard. A concerted effort has been made over the past year to ensure that the detection and prevention of these types of criminal activity are not adversely affected by the unprecedented demands placed on policing services by the vital enforcement of public health restrictions.

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau is having continued and significant success in disrupting drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. Its work is supported by divisional drug units which tackle drug-related crime locally throughout the country. There is collaboration with other law enforcement partners and by all gardaí working in local communities. Divisional drug units are now established in every Garda division.

Recent major seizures include €12 million worth of cocaine seized in a collaborative operation between the bureau and Revenue's customs services in Cork on 18 February and the seizure of €1.1 million worth of crack cocaine, cocaine and cannabis herb in an operation led by the district detective unit in Tallaght on 2 February. The Deputies may wish to note that the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau has seized controlled substances worth a total of more than €26 million in the first two months of this year alone. I welcome these significant seizures and the reassurance that these policing successes bring to communities.

I can confirm that there was a 10.7% rise in the number of gardaí assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region south division between December 2017 and February 2021. The total number of members serving there is now 589. There has also been a significant rise in Garda civilian staff assigned to the division. There are now 55 such staff, an increase from 36 in 2017.

The Deputies will be aware that the Government has in place a national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland for the period from 2017 to 2025. The strategy is unique among the national drugs strategies across EU member states in recognising the need to address drug-related debt and intimidation at a community level. An Garda Síochána is working to provide strong supports for those who fall victim to this behaviour. A Garda inspector is nominated in every Garda division and individuals and families experiencing intimidation can make contact with their local inspector through their local Garda station.

An Garda Síochána regards drug-related intimidation as a very serious issue and urges people to seek help and support from their local gardaí, even where a person has felt compelled to pay money to those engaged in drug-related intimidation.

This Government will continue to support the drug-related intimidation reporting programme developed by the National Family Support Network in partnership with An Garda Síochána to respond to the needs of drug users and families facing the threat of drug-related intimidation in line with the programme for Government.

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