Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 28: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he has taken, other than producing more legislation amending his earlier legislation, in anticipation of the expected impact in summer 2007 from the 49% increase in poppy production in Afghanistan in Spring 2006. [12977/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As is reflected in the Deputy's question, recent international data from the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) suggests that the level of heroin production, particularly in Afghanistan, has significantly increased in recent times. The UNODC also highlight that there is a significant surplus of heroin supply exceeding worldwide demand for the drug. That Office continues to spearhead international efforts aimed at addressing what are, as I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, complex issues which give rise to the continued high levels of opium production in that region. Undoubtedly such production has a direct effect on the amount of heroin in circulation globally.

So this problem is by no means unique to Ireland as drug misuse remains one of the most complex social ills faced worldwide . However we are responsible for what happens in our own jurisdiction and we must constantly strive to ensure that the measures and policies we have in place address the problem and are flexible enough to be able to respond to what is a global and dynamic issue.

As I have said on the record on many occasions previously, while our drug law enforcement response is of course a vital feature of our overall response in addressing the issue we cannot just look at the issue from a supply reduction perspective only. Rather, we must examine the drugs problem in the wider context in which it takes place and take cognisance of the fact that the demand for and the use of illegal drugs is what fuels the drugs trade. The measures that we have in place to address the problem must take account of this.

The Government remains resolutely committed to tackling the problem through our National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. The National Strategy addresses the problem under pillar headings of education and prevention, supply reduction, treatment and rehabilitation and research and is firmly founded on the principle that drug misuse needs to be addressed in an integrated manner across these headings through a co-operative approach involving the statutory, community and voluntary treatment sectors.

The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, under the stewardship of my colleague and Minister of State Mr. Noel Ahern, T.D., is the lead Government Department in co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy. My Department's remit in this area, while not exclusively, is primarily in the area of drug supply reduction, and drug law enforcement remains a key feature of the Government's drug policy framework.

I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Siochána will continue to direct its drug law enforcement activities in a focused way through intelligence driven operations at national, regional, divisional and district level co-ordinated by the Garda National Drugs Unit in conjunction with other specialist Garda units and local Garda management. Underpinning this approach, An Garda Siochána will continue to invoke a number of broad strategic responses in addressing the issue. These include the following;

Identifying, targeting and dismantling national and international drug trafficking networks which supply and distribute illegal drugs within this state

Conducting intelligence driven operations focusing on all aspects of the illicit drugs trade including commodity, logistics, distribution and financing.

Working with other national and international law enforcement agencies on joint actions designed to reduce the availability of drugs and the proceeds derived from the drugs trade

Working in partnership with statutory, community and voluntary groups to reduce both the supply and demand for drugs within society.

Significant drug seizures including the considerable increase in the amount of heroin continuing to be seized in recent times in this jurisdiction have been made as a result of this approach. Such measures will continue to be vigorously pursued by An Garda Siochána.

The record level of resources, both in financial and personnel terms, being made available to An Garda Siochána this year is proof of the Government's commitment and determination to ensure that the Garda authorities will continue to implement targeted, intelligence and high intensity operations against organised crime with a special focus on drugs crime.

Furthermore we are ensuring that our law enforcement agencies have a strong legislative platform from which to operate in their work in tackling those involved in such criminal activity.

Finally, I can assure the House that the policy of targeting those involved in organised crime including drug trafficking and the gun culture with which it is associated remains the Government's top policing priority.