Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí by rank, who are based in the national drugs unit at Dublin Castle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8464/05]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí, by rank, who are attached to the national drugs unit but are based outside Dublin Castle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8465/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength, by rank, of the Garda national drugs unit as at 9 March 2005 was as set out hereunder:

I am further informed that all members of the Garda Síochána attached to the Garda national drugs unit are based at Dublin Castle.

I am, of course, very pleased that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the agreed programme for Government commitment in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force.

The commissioner will now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Garda national drugs unit will be fully considered within the context of the resource needs throughout the country. Clearly, of course, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies in particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to very significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. I have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high visibility policing. They will have a real impact.