Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views in relation to the major drug find in County Kildare on 6 February 2008; if he had meetings with the relevant authorities in regard to such a find; his plans to protect such communities as those in the county of Kildare where areas of the county appear to be used as bases for drug activity for the Dublin market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5575/08]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I want to take this opportunity to welcome the major drug find in County Kildare, to which the Deputy refers, as well as the recent overall significant level of drug seizures and associated arrests made by the Gardaí. I am advised that the recent successes are directly attributable to increased law enforcement at all levels through intelligence driven operations.

It would not be my normal practice to hold meetings with the Gardaí on specific operations and I have not met with them in regard to the Kildare find. However, I regularly meet with Garda representatives to keep up-to-date with developments in respect of their drug-related operations. Reports on their progress are also made to the Inter Departmental Group on Drugs, which I chair. Similarly, I also have regular contact with representatives of the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners, who are also playing a major part in drug seizures, and with the Dept Justice, Equality & Law Reform through the structures of the National Drugs Strategy.

The protection of communities in Kildare and elsewhere, whether in relation to threats linked to illicit drugs or otherwise, is a central part of the remit of the Gardaí and the actions and deployment of resources to counter such threats is an ongoing operational matter for them.