Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the arrangements in progressing the Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign in the selected areas in the first phase; the way the campaign will be advertised in each area; if the leaflets and explanatory information will be available in schools, community centres and public areas; if advertising will be taken out in media and radio to highlight the launch; if this advertising will be continued for a period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33517/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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The Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign was officially launched last week on 30 September. The initiative involves a number of local and regional campaigns, which will be run through the mechanism of the local and regional drugs task forces. The campaigns are being designed to encourage people to provide any information they may have on drug dealing — anonymously if required — through a confidential telephone line. This information will then be forwarded to the Garda Síochána for appropriate follow-up action. Under Phase 1, five local campaigns will be launched on the following dates: Dublin north east LDTF on 8 October; Tallaght LDTF on 9 October; Blanchardstown LDTF on 17 October; south west RDTF on 20 October — date to be confirmed; and north inner city LDTF on 28 October — date to be confirmed.

Each local campaign has been tailored to the requirements of each area as identified by the drugs task force, working closely with local communities. The input and co-operation of local communities is essential to maximise the effect of the campaign in their areas. Each task force has identified the most suitable advertising method for its community and this will be done in a variety of ways, for example, by household door drops, posters in retail outlets and pubs etc. The leaflets and explanatory information will also be available in schools, community centres, public areas and sports clubs.

Campaigns in the remaining task force areas will be rolled out over the coming months. In addition to providing further information, which will aid the Garda's efforts in tackling drug dealing in local areas, it is expected that campaigns will have significant added value in promoting greater links between the community and the Garda and in promoting drug awareness at community level.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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I support the initiative. My primary concern relates to the security of the caller. In recent times, computers, laptops and so on have been stolen all over the place. The confidential telephone line is of major significance to this initiative if it is to function properly and be a success, which everyone wants. I congratulate the Garda on its recent efforts in this area. However, the security of the caller is important and I hope that will be highlighted at every opportunity.

My other concern relates to the literature I received. I absolutely agree with the Minister of State regarding the National Roads Authority and the programme it is running on television. Protection of the family must be highlighted and that is not encompassed by the literature. Perhaps the Minister of State will examine this in conjunction with his officials and public relations people.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I assure the Deputy the security of the caller is absolutely paramount and that is why the system is organised so that a call from a member of the public goes directly to an independent call centre and not the Garda Síochána. Callers do not have to furnish their names or addresses nor do they have to disclose their identity. Reports will be drawn up by the call centre and they will be passed on to the Garda national drugs unit, which will deal with them centrally or through local drugs units. However, it is critically important that members of the public have confidence that their identity will not be revealed. Prior to launching the campaign, a pilot project was undertaken two years ago in Blanchardstown. Significant violence, intimidation and fear are associated with drugs and drug dealing and quite often people in the community have information and know what is happening but do not feel comfortable and safe about reporting it.

I take the Deputy's point about family protection and so on. However, I have one clear, simple message. If a person is living in a community and has information about drug dealing, which he or she feels may be useful to the Garda, we guarantee them their identity will remain anonymous. In its own right, it may not be enough but it may assist the Garda, which obtains information from a variety of sources. I appeal to people to use the telephone number and to deal with the Garda. The Deputy is correct that the key factor in ensuring the campaign is a success will be that individual callers are absolutely assured of anonymity.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the timeframe. If this pilot scheme works, will the Minister of State roll it out all over the country? The most important aspect of this is to get it into churches and schools to ensure people know about it. As Deputy Wall said, the primary issue is security in order that people know when they make a call, their name will not be revealed because we are dealing with dangerous thugs and vicious people.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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This is a national scheme given the pilot scheme was undertaken previously. The scheme will run for approximately nine months and this is the first of three phases. One of the reasons it is being rolled out in phases is to prevent a situation where, if the floodgates open, the Garda could be unable to deal with the number of calls. However, this is a national scheme, which will be implemented through the local drugs task forces. This first phase is being launched and phases two and three will run over a nine-month period.