Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 217: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a drug policing plan has been produced in respect of every Garda district and sub-district in line with An Agreed Programme for Government Between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats 2002. [13126/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána Policing Plan 2007 targets as a priority, action to target organised crime, including drug trafficking and the gun culture associated with it. This reflects the Government's policing priorities for 2007.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that in the development of the overall Policing Plan, each Garda District and Sub-District's input is now built into their relevant Garda Divisional Policing Plan which includes that Division's drug policing element.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the multi-agency actions that have been taken to target drug dealers in local communities in line with An Agreed Programme for Government Between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats 2002. [13127/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that since the publication of the Government's National Drugs Strategy, Garda resources generally in the fight against illicit drugs have increased.

This is particularly evident with the creation of additional Divisional Drug Units in areas of particular need. These Drugs Units operate in Divisions throughout the country with a primary focus on local drugs activities.

Furthermore a joint Garda National Drugs Unit/Criminal Assets Bureau initiative is now in place which targets local dealers.

In addition, An Garda Síochána are represented on all Local and Regional Drug Task Forces who develop multi-agency Area Action Plans to address the problem of drug misuse within their areas.

Finally, I would refer the Deputy to the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which makes provision for Joint Policing Committees at local authority level and for the establishment of local policing fora in designated areas under the umbrella of such committees.

Twenty two pilot joint policing committees with representation from the statutory, community and voluntary sectors are now in place in local authority administrative areas as the first phase of the implementation of this initiative.

These bodies are to act as fora where matters relating to local issues of policing and crime, including drug related issues, can be discussed and where strategies and recommendations for dealing with issues locally can be formulated.