Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 9: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to recent figures from the Central Statistics Office showing a dramatic increase in drug crime during the third quarter of 2006; his views on the increases recorded in drug dealing, drug manufacturing and importing offences; his further views on whether the increase in recorded crime figures for drug related offences suggests an increase in the availability of drugs here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37000/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Central Statistics Office's recent publication for the first time of the provisional headline crime statistics for the third quarter of 2006 is welcome in providing further expertise and independence in the compilation of such statistics and in acting as an important aid in informing policy formulation and public opinion.

While being mindful of the need for caution in the interpretation of such statistics, especially when attempting to extrapolate any trends over short periods, the CSO report provides us with important data in regard to drug offences statistics and trends. Unlike other serious crimes such as murder, armed robbery, rape, burglaries and the like, the drug figures in the CSO statistics reflect successful Garda activity in combating the drugs menace. I, therefore, welcome the increased volume of detections and seizures that these figures represent.

On the basis of what we all know is happening in society, I would be worried if the figures were going down at this stage because that would reflect a lack of Garda success. Bearing in mind that there is a significant drugs problem in Ireland, we should be careful not to say it is scandalous that the number of offences in the CSO figures has gone up because it is indicative of Garda activity and detections. It would be worrying if they were going down without any adequate explanation.

Some of the key information which the report provides in this regard includes the following: there is an 8.6% increase in the total number of drugs offences recorded for the first three quarter period of 2006 in comparison to the equivalent period for 2005; there is a 23.8% increase in the total number of drugs offences recorded for the third quarter period of 2006 in comparison to the equivalent third quarter period for 2005. That shows the trend of enforcement and detection is going in the right direction. There was a sizeable increase of 153, or 25.8%, in the number of offences relating to the possession of drugs for sale or supply of drugs offences recorded in the third quarter period of 2006 compared with the third quarter period of 2005. The trend shows that drugs are increasingly being found in bulk. While the Government views with concern any apparent rise in the level of illegal drugs being trafficked into the country, seizures are also a reflection of the strength of activity by the Garda in targeting the drugs trade. The issue of drugs is dictated by global developments and not confined to any country.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I thank the Minister who I join in congratulating the Garda — I presume that was implicit in his comments — on a very high detection rate. I was amazed when I received the additional information not provided on the floor of the House when this question was asked last month. In the first ten-month period of last year the Garda seized 12 kg of heroin with an estimated street value of €2.4 million. There has been a significant increase in the comparative figure for this year to 115.75 kg with an estimated street value of €23.1 million. Is the Minister as shocked as I am at the implications of a ten-fold increase in heroin seizures between last year and this year?

The Minister has indicated to the House that the UN office estimated that seizures of cocaine and opiates represent approximately 25% of production. If we are seizing 25%, there must be a vast volume of heroin available in the State. Does the Minister accept that despite a massive tenfold increase in the number of seizures, there seems to be no lack of availability of the drug or a fall in its price? These circumstances indicate that a vast volume of heroin is available throughout the State. Does the Minister acknowledge that the volume of heroin available in the State has increased phenomenally? If so, what specifically does he intend to do about it?

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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According to reputable sources I have heard quoted, seizures represent only 10% of the total amount of the drug supply. Does the Minister have a view on this? While I pay due compliments to the Garda for the extent of its seizures, do we have any idea of the extent of a problem which seems to be growing enormously? Is there evidence of widespread breaking of the law in the consumption of drugs by those from whom one would expect better? Does the Minister have a view as to how that might be addressed?

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Does the Minister or the Garda have clear strategies or crime prevention plans to prevent gun crime or organised murders by drug gangs? Does the Minister have figures for the numbers of murders which have been prevented? Does the Minister have any information on the number of gangs operating on the northside of Dublin?

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Does the Minister accept that greater supply means cheaper drugs, which translates into more deaths of addicts by overdose and other medical complications? What extra resources will the Minister commit to tackle the availability of illicit drugs in the interest of saving lives and addressing related crime?

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The questions asked by Members usefully draw together all the elements in this area. The figures for seizure last year, to which Deputy Howlin referred, were much smaller than those for this year.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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By a factor of ten.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Yes. Operation Anvil has had significant successes and a great deal of intelligence gathering and surveillance has taken place. One can take two views of the figures. One might adopt the view that there has been a vast increase in the amount of drugs being imported in the last year while the Garda continues to seize the same proportion of them. It is a pessimistic view. The other view one can take is that the Garda has had major successes which it was not having last year and its performance has improved, which is the optimistic view.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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If that is the case, the price should have gone up.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I imagine the truth lies somewhere along the spectrum between those two views. I am not in a position to say whether there was a vast increase in heroin imports to Ireland, which the Garda is seizing in the same proportion, or whether the force's successes on foot of Operation Anvil have led to more significant seizures as a proportion of the total amount of drugs being imported.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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If the latter case were true, there would be a shortage on the streets.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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That is the point. Issues like price on the street are relevant in that context, but they require a great deal of analysis. While I am not in a position currently to tender such analysis to the House, I make the point that there have been spectacular Garda successes in interdicting heroin, cocaine and firearms in recent times. Those successes reflect the fact that gang activity is growing as well as the fact that Garda competence is growing in response. I am not in a position to say where we should form our judgment of the truth between the extreme optimistic and extreme pessimistic views. By definition, these are murky matters.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Drugs are cheaper on the street.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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What about gangs on the northside?

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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If drugs are cheaper on the streets, it suggests more are being imported. If more are coming in, the Garda may be having a greater level of success in the context of an increased rate of importation. However, it is not possible for me to give an exact judgment on the matter. As I said recently to a Labour Party Deputy, I intend to convene a meeting of the Customs and Excise and Garda to form an indepth, strategic view of the issues involved, including on-the-street prices, to determine the direction of underlying trends.

While I do not wish to be sanctimonious about the question put by Deputy O'Keeffe, it is undoubtedly the case that there are some in our society who believe it is their privilege to make up their minds privately in their homes as to whether they consume cocaine or other drugs, which is no one else's business. I do not know how many of them there are. I have repeatedly made the point that their view is completely immoral and wrong-minded. Nobody can take drugs of any kind without sharing in the moral responsibility for underworld crimes, including murder, which result from the availability and consumption of narcotics.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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There is a lack of respect for the rule of law.