Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 725: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda achieved their target of a 25% increase in the volume of opiates and all other drugs seized by the end of 2004 as set out in the National Drugs Strategy; if he will provide figures of such seizures in each category from 1998 to 2004 inclusive; if the force can achieve the target of a 50% increase in seizures of opiates and all other drugs by end 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10600/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda that the data requested by the Deputy is currently only available for the period 2000 to 2003, inclusive. This data is set out in a tabular statement.

The Deputy will note from these figures that the Garda achieved considerable successes in their drug seizure targets under the Government's National Drugs Strategy 2001 — 2008. The base year for these targets is 2000. Heroin seizures increased by 13% between 2000 and 2003. The data also shows significant increases in the volumes of cannabis and stimulant drugs seized. The latter include cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy. Between 2000 and 2003 seizures of these drugs increased by 497%, 1069% and 132%, respectively. The Garda remain fully committed to further increases in drugs seizures for the remaining period of the national drugs strategy.