Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. He has done so consistently, particularly in his own area. He has also raised the need for us all to do more and actively deal with the threat posed to our communities, particularly young people, by organised crime groups and those who are buying, dealing and engaging with drug dealers.

The Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that the Garda has the resources it needs to tackle drug dealing and associated criminal behaviour, including by organised crime groups. The funding made available to An Garda Síochána has enabled the Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime. These include the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the armed support unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau.

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau leads in tackling all forms of drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs in Ireland. Collaboration at interagency and international levels remains key in tackling this issue. This problem is not just within our own borders; it is also transnational. Given the global nature of the drugs trade, international law enforcement co-operation remains a key element in the overall response. An Garda Síochána has strong and very strategic partnerships in place at international level targeting drug trafficking, including working closely with agencies such as Interpol and Europol and participating in the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre for Narcotics, which is based in Lisbon.

An example of the result of co-operation with the team in Lisbon and others was the seizure of 546 kg of a synthetic drug, with an estimated value of €32.8 million, by the Garda, working with Revenue officers, in Cork port in February. There was extensive engagement with international partners.

At a local level, An Garda Síochána continues to target those involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs through Operation Tara. Recent successes of Operation Tara in my area and that of the Deputy include the seizure of cannabis plants and cannabis herb with an estimated value of €768,000 across two separate raids in County Louth only recently, on 20 May.

I am investing record amounts into An Garda Síochána to target those involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs through Operation Tara, and of course we will do more.

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