Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 97: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the increase in the use of crack cocaine in the greater Dublin area; if there are plans within his Department to tackle this increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36336/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that while there has been a slight increase in the quantity of freebase or crack cocaine seized in this jurisdiction over the past two years, this still represents a small proportion of the total number of cocaine seizures recorded annually.

However, the Garda authorities also inform me that most of the recorded seizures of freebase cocaine, have to date been made in An Garda Síochána's North Central Division of the Dublin Metropolitan Region.

This, of course, is a matter of concern and the Garda authorities have taken a number of measures to address the problem. The Garda National Drugs Unit and local drug units conduct intelligence-driven operations to target individuals suspected of involvement in the distribution of freebase cocaine. Drug units and community policing personnel are engaged in intelligence gathering on individuals and groups suspected of involvement in the sale and distribution of the drug. There is also targeted patrolling by uniform and plain-clothes personnel of problem areas in order to detect and disrupt persons involved in such activity.

In addition. I am informed by the Garda authorities, that during 2006 the Garda National Drugs Unit, in conjunction with local Garda management in the DMR North Central Division, commenced an on-going investigation into the alleged distribution of freebase cocaine within that Division. This initiative has resulted in the arrest of 15 persons for offences contrary to section 15, Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977/84 — possession of drugs with intent to supply. Freebase cocaine has been confirmed as one of a number of drugs seized during this initiative to date.

In terms of the Government's overall strategy to tackle drug misuse, the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 addresses the problem 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 coordinated 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 An Garda Síochána in terms of all drug seizures and the Gardaí have achieved considerable successes in relation to these targets to date.

I am further 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 all forms of cocaine.

The Garda authorities advise that these strategies continue to result in operational successes, including successes against cocaine trafficking. The trafficking and distribution of all illicit drugs, including hydrochloric and freebase cocaine, at local, national and international levels is constantly monitored by the Gardaí.

Finally, the Criminal Justice Act 2006, provides a comprehensive package of anti-crime measures which will further enhance the powers of the Gardaí in the investigation and prosecution of offences, including drug offences.