Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 54: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the widespread availability of cocaine here and the increasing quantities of crack cocaine that are seized; his proposals to tackle the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29742/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 addresses the problem of drug misuse across a number of pillars — supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research — and implementation of the strategy across a range of Government Departments and agencies is co-ordinated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Government is aware of the increased prevalence of cocaine usage in recent times and efforts to tackle it are broadly based to include measures aimed at both supply and demand reduction, including awareness initiatives.

The national strategy specifies a number of supply reduction targets for the Garda Síochána in terms of all drug seizures and the Garda has achieved considerable successes regarding these targets to date.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that their strategies for dealing with drug offences are designed to undermine the activities of organised criminal networks involved in the trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs, including cocaine and crack cocaine. All of these strategies are based on a number of underlying principles, namely, focusing on all aspects of drug trafficking including the importation, transportation and distribution of illicit drugs; the gathering of intelligence on all individuals and organisations involved in the distribution of drugs, including the support structures underpinning this activity; conducting targeted operations on criminal networks based on intelligence gathered; and working in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, both within and outside the jurisdiction, to address the national as well as international aspects of drug trafficking and distribution.

The Garda authorities further inform me that these strategies have resulted in a number of operational successes, including successes against cocaine trafficking. Many of these have been recently publicised. The trafficking and distribution of all illicit drugs, including cocaine hydrochloric and freebase, that is, crack, at local, national and international levels is constantly monitored by the Garda.

The Criminal Justice Bill, which is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas, provides a comprehensive package of anti-crime measures that will enhance the powers of the Garda in the investigation and prosecution of offences, including drug offences. It includes provisions relating to search warrant powers for the Garda and admissibility of statements by witnesses who subsequently refuse to testify or retract their original statements. Moreover, I am currently finalising further legislative proposals to provide for criminal offences relating to participation in a criminal organisation and to strengthen existing provisions relating to the ten year mandatory minimum sentence for drug trafficking.