Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether recent figures showing that there were more than 10,000 registered heroin addicts here reflects the continued widespread availability of heroin; the additional measures he is taking to cut off the supply of heroin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32840/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the number of cases involving heroin and the volume of heroin seized by An Garda Síochána for the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are as set out hereunder:

In terms of availability, while heroin still predominates in the greater Dublin area, seizures are recorded in each Garda region throughout the State. The recent publication by the Health Research Board which indicated that over 10,000 individuals are seeking treatment for heroin addiction partially reflects both the increases available in treatment services and the extent of heroin use.

In terms of responding to the availability of heroin in particular, An Garda Síochána tackles this problem in a number of ways including:

1. targeting individuals and organisations involved in the trafficking and distribution of heroin.

2. working with international agencies in targeting organised criminal groups involved in the international drug trade.

3. working closely with the Customs and Naval Services in preventing drugs from entering the jurisdiction.

4. targeting the distribution of heroin through the work of the Garda National Drugs Unit and the ongoing work of Divisional and District Drug Units.

As I am sure the Deputy appreciates, drug misuse remains one of the most complex social ills faced globally. 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. 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 current National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. The National Drugs 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 cooperative 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. John Curran, T.D., is the lead Government Department in co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy and is currently overseeing the process of developing our new Strategy for the years 2009 to 2016. This work, which involves a wide-ranging consultative process in which my Department is actively participating, will fully inform the development of our new Strategy. My Department's remit in this area, while not exclusively, lies primarily in the area of drug supply reduction. Drug law enforcement remains a key feature of the Government's drug policy framework. The work of An Garda Síochána will continue with strategies to tackle organised crime and drug trafficking primarily through the use of specialist units and targeted intelligence led operations.

I am advised by Garda management that in addition to the considerable volumes of drugs seized, significant impact was made during 2008 in arresting and prosecuting a number of major players involved in drug trafficking and involved in the importation, sale and distribution of drugs. A significant number of crime gangs involved in this type of criminal activity have been disrupted and dismantled. To further assist in our law enforcement efforts against drug trafficking, a number of new initiatives have been recently introduced. Some examples of this includes the following:

The establishment in January 2008 of the Organised Crime Unit on a permanent footing with full time staff assigned to it. The Unit now has a personnel strength of seventy officers and in conjunction with the Garda National Drugs Unit and local Gardaí, will continue to implement initiatives such as Operations Anvil and Oak which target criminals involved in the trafficking of drugs.

The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics) MAOC(N) in Lisbon, of which Ireland is a founding member, has the specific objective of intercepting narcotic shipments, in particular cocaine, to the European Union from Latin America.

A number of provisions introduced in the Criminal Justice Acts 2006 and 2007 have provided for further measures which will enhance the powers of the Gardaí in the investigation and prosecution of drug offences.

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.