Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if all reports of drug trafficking in west Dublin are being investigated; if a report is furnished in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21510/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the need for a serious crackdown on drug trafficking throughout west Dublin; if his attention has been further drawn to the number of incidents reported to the Gardaí; the action he proposes to take to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21511/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.

The Gardaí are in fact conducting a crackdown on drug-related crime in West Dublin. Elements of this crackdown include "Operation Anvil", which in the Dublin Metropolitan Region includes monitoring of pharmacies, "Operation Clean Street", which targets street dealers and the local "Dial to Stop Drugs" programme.

The Garda National Drugs Unit and local Garda drugs units are conducting ongoing intelligence-driven operations to target individuals in West Dublin suspected of involvement in the distribution of drugs. Drug units and community policing personnel are engaged in intelligence gathering on individuals and groups suspected of involvement in the sale and distribution of drugs in the area. There is also targeted patrolling by uniform and plain-clothes personnel of problem areas in West Dublin in order to detect and disrupt persons involved in such activity.

I am assured by the Garda authorities that all reported incidents of drug trafficking in west Dublin are the subject of investigation by An Garda Síochána. Where appropriate, investigation files are submitted to the law officers for direction as to what charges, if any, should be preferred.

I am further informed that local Garda management is satisfied that the current allocation of Garda personnel in the area is at an appropriate level to combat the local drugs problem. Gardaí in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) West Division attached to the divisional and district drugs units are supported by members attached to the Garda National Drugs Unit. It should also be noted that all members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with enforcing the law in respect of drug related criminality and can be deployed, where necessary, to support the activities of drug units.