Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 570: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the comments by a senior Garda Officer (details supplied) to the effect that the local drugs units are re-directed into other policing tasks which emerge thereby disrupting their focus on drugs; and if, in view of the scale of the drugs crisis and associated gangland crime, he will bring this matter to the attention of the Garda Commissioner and ask him to urgently ensure that the full capacity of all drugs units, national and local, are directed at disrupting drug supply. [25462/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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

Since the publication of the Government's National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008, 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.

These units are also supported in their work by officers from other national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the Criminal Assets Bureau. In addition, all Gardaí are tasked with confronting drugs related issues as they arise.

Furthermore, I can assure the Deputy that additional Garda resources are coming on stream all the time and that these additional human resources will facilitate the Garda Commissioner in the allocation of additional manpower to areas most in need, including in the fight against illegal drugs.

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