Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on reports that a bumper poppy crop in Afghanistan in 2008 could lead to an intensified flow of heroin into Ireland; the intelligence available to the gardaí on this prospect; the steps taken to counter any such possibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27027/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Consideration of the issue of heroin misuse in Ireland needs to take place in the global context within which such misuse takes place.

I am advised that the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime estimates that approximately 90% of the heroin which is consumed in the European Union originates from Afghanistan.

The sharp increase both in cultivation and production of illicit opium poppy in Afghanistan in recent years continues to result in an increasing supply of the drug being available right across the European Union, including in Ireland.

This development is reflected in the increasing level of seizures of the drugs which have been made by An Garda Síochána here in recent times.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána in association with its international law enforcement partners continues to monitor world trends in illicit drug production. Notwithstanding any worldwide fluctuations in the production of the poppy crop, An Garda Síochána remains vigilant for any signs of increased or intensified flow of heroin into this country.

Whilst there has been a significant increase in the seizures of heroin in this country since 2005 there is no evidence of a corresponding increase in demand for heroin. The table shows seizures of heroin from 2001 to 2008 up to date (up to and including 4 July). It should be noted that the figures shown for 2007/2008 are provisional/operational and may be subject to change.

Undoubtedly these are very significant volumes of the drug which have been seized by An Garda Síochána and I warmly commend their ongoing work in this regard.

I am further advised by the Garda authorities that the increase in the amount of heroin seized in recent years is directly attributable to increased law enforcement and the conducting of intelligence driven operations at various levels which are coordinated by the Garda National Drugs Unit in association with other Garda Units such as the Organised Crime Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau.

The steps taken by An Garda Síochána to address the illicit supply of heroin and indeed all illegal drugs include the following:

The on-going investigation and intelligence gathering by the Garda National Drugs Unit in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, both national & international including the Customs Service.

The investigation and intelligence gathering by other National Units such as the Organised Crime Unit, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation whose activities relate to organised crime & drug trafficking.

The ongoing investigation and activities by Divisional & District Drug Units operating throughout the State.

At a local level Divisional and District Drug Units have been established with the specific remit of targeting individuals engaged in the sale and distribution of drugs to local communities.

These units are supported by local resources as well as National Units including the Garda National Immigration Bureau, the Garda Technical Bureau, the Forensic Science Laboratory and the Garda specialist services section.

Internationally, An Garda Síochána works closely with relevant law enforcement agencies including with other E.U. Agencies, the US Drugs Enforcement Agency and Interpol and Europol.

Presently An Garda Síochána have liaison officers based in the Hague, London, Paris, Madrid, Europol and Interpol. An Garda Síóchána was directly involved in the establishment of a Maritime Analysis Operations Centre for Narcotics (MAOCN) which is tasked with countering illicit drug trafficking at sea. A Garda Liaison Officer will soon be based permanently at the centre.

Finally, this is ongoing work in progress and the Government fully acknowledges that tackling the problem of all drug trafficking remains an ongoing challenge to be faced with vigilance.

I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to keep the measures and resources for tackling all forms of drug trafficking under review. The enforcement of the law relating to drugs continues to be a key element in the Government's policing priorities and this is reflected in An Garda Síochána's Policing Plan for 2008.