Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the spate of recent cannabis and cocaine seizures by the Gardaí in Cork and Dublin; his further views on the prevalence and frequency of these large seizures, especially as a much larger quantity of these drugs actually avoids detection by authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18117/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Gardaí confirm that there has been a growth in the amount of cocaine and cannabis seized so far this year. I congratulate the Gárdaí on their success in that regard, including recent seizures in Cork and Dublin, and on their significant on-going contribution to disrupting the sale of illegal drugs in this State.

Supply reduction is one of the cornerstones of the National Drugs Strategy and An Garda Síochána play a huge role in this respect. In 2005 a total of 3,545 people in the Dublin metropolitan region, and 1,166 in Co. Cork, were prosecuted for drug offences. This is a significant increase on the numbers (2,296 and 867 respectively) prosecuted in 2004.

While recent cannabis and cocaine seizures, and drugs seizures generally, are often interpreted as indicating a growth in the presence of those drugs, there is no definite evidence to illustrate the degree to which this may be true. Furthermore, I would caution against using drug seizures in a particular area as a direct indication of the level of supply and use of drugs in that area. The particular geographical area where drugs are seized may not indicate their final planned destination. In that regard, Dublin and Cork have international airports and sea ports and are therefore more likely to be entry points for illegal drugs into this State. Indeed, some drugs may ultimately be destined for markets beyond these shores.

However, I accept that sizable increases in seizures, though welcome in themselves, raise fears regarding the amount of illegal drugs getting into the country. Through the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy, and the co-operation of the various Government Departments and agencies, as well as the community and voluntary sectors, I am confident that we will continue to tackle the misuse of drugs in the most effective way possible.