James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make representations to the relevant Garda authorities and put in place new Garda manpower and a dedicated drugs squad to tackle the increasing drugs problem in towns in north Fingal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22160/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that in the Louth/Meath Garda Division there are 7 drug units one of which is based in the Balbriggan Garda District whose area of remit includes the areas referred to by the Deputy.

The detection and prevention of drug related crime is, of course, a matter for all members of An Garda Síochána.

Uniform and plain-clothes personnel, including the District Detective and Drug Units, as well as Community Policing and Mountain Bike Units supplemented as required by Divisional Traffic Corps personnel, conduct regular patrols in the areas referred to by the Deputy to prevent and detect criminal activity including that related to drugs.

Ongoing liaison is also maintained with the Garda National Drugs Unit in respect of persons suspected of being involved in the illegal importation and/or distribution of drugs. The Deputy will be aware that resources such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Criminal Assets Bureau are also deployed extensively in dealing with drug crime.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the allocation of additional resources in the areas referred to by the Deputy remains under constant review by local senior Garda management who also continuously monitor District and Divisional crime trends.

As the Deputy will appreciate, policing operations and the deployment of Garda resources are matters for the Garda Commissioner. It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel within the Garda organisation on a priority basis in accordance with overall policing requirements.

The assignment of Garda personnel throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public. This takes place against the background of the unprecedented expansion of An Garda Síochána which has taken and will continue to take place increasing the overall strength of the Gardaí to 16,000.

Finally I can assure the Deputy that the enforcement of the law relating to drugs very much continues to be a key element in the Government's policing priorities.