Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 704: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures the Garda Síochána may take to counteract the use of drugs and house break-ins in the Finglas area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10994/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management has a number of initiatives in place to counteract the use of drugs and house break-ins in the Finglas area. To counteract the use of drugs in the area, the Garda K district drugs unit carries out searches on a regular basis in the area on those suspected of being involved in drug activity. Also, Operation Colt has been set up specifically to target the sale, supply and use of drugs in licensed premises. A number of successful detections and prosecutions have been made through these initiatives.

I am also informed by the Garda authorities that the SNAP, Say No And Phone, campaign was launched in the Finglas area in March 2005. This is an anti-drugs initiative that encourages members of the community with information relating to drugs activity to telephone a confidential Garda hotline. This information is appraised and acted upon where appropriate. The SNAP campaign has already resulted in a significant number of successful seizures of controlled drugs.

There are a number of initiatives in place to target house break-ins in the Finglas area. Crime prevention advice in this regard is given to local residents and senior citizens groups. There is a regular analysis of trends involving such crime with active patrolling of any areas affected. Technical examinations are carried out of all crime scenes with a view to identifying culprits and initiating proceedings.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the Finglas patrol car, Finglas detective unit, the K district drugs unit, the public order van, the divisional crime task force and divisional traffic unit all assist on an ongoing basis in counteracting the use of drugs and house break-ins in the Finglas area.