Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he has taken on foot of the appalling scenes of civil disturbance that were witnessed in Dublin on 25 February 2006; the further measures he intends to take to ensure that such scenes are never again seen here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9550/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I refer the Deputy to my comprehensive statements to both Dáil and Seanad Éireann on 28 February and 2 March 2006, respectively.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 490: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the extent of usage of heroin, ecstasy MDMA, methamphetamine, cannabis and LSD by people here; his efforts to counteract the use of these drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9551/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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A number of data sources are used to determine the extent of drug usage within society. These include drug treatment and law enforcement data as well as official survey data at national level. The joint prevalence survey undertaken in partnership between the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, NACD, and the Drugs and Alcohol Information and Research Unit, DAIRU, in Northern Ireland is generally regarded as providing the most reliable baseline data on drug prevalence in Ireland. This study surveyed 8,434 people aged 15 to 64 throughout the island of Ireland between October 2002 and April 2003 and reported that cannabis was the most commonly used illegal drug with a lifetime prevalence rate of 17%. Lifetime prevalence rates for other drugs were substantially lower, for example heroin had a rate of 0.5%, ecstasy 4%, amphetamines 3% and LSD 3%.

The National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 addresses the problem of drug misuse across a number of pillars including supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. Implementation of the strategy across a range of Government Departments and agencies is co-ordinated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. It is a key objective of the national drugs strategy to reduce access to all drugs, particularly those drugs that cause most harm, to young people especially in those areas where misuse is most prevalent. The strategy specifies a number of supply reduction targets for the Garda Síochána in terms of all drug seizures and the Garda has achieved considerable success on 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. These strategies include gathering intelligence on 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 continue to result in operational successes. The trafficking and distribution of all illicit drugs at local, national and international levels is constantly monitored by the Garda. Finally, the Criminal Justice Bill, which is before the Houses of the Oireachtas, provides a comprehensive package of anti-crime measures which 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.

In November last year I obtained Government approval to draft a range of amendments to the Bill, which I intend to bring forward during its passage through the Oireachtas. Proposed amendments include the creation of new criminal offences for participation in organised crime and the strengthening of existing provisions for the ten-year mandatory minimum sentence for drug trafficking.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of convictions which have been handed down in respect of the use, possession and trafficking of each of heroin, ecstasy MDMA, methamphetamine, cannabis, and LSD here; the penalty applied in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9552/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Under the Courts Service Act 1998, the provision of information on the courts system is a matter for the Courts Service. The latest published statistics on the operation of the courts are to be found in the Courts Service annual report for 2004, a copy of which may be found in the Oireachtas Library and on the website of the Courts Service, www.courts.ie.