Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the quantity and values of seizures of heroin, cocaine, cannabis and other drugs within the State during 2007 and to date in 2008; the proportion of the overall flow of drugs into the country that is believed to be represented by these seizures; the new initiatives he is planning to control the flow of illegal drugs into the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46755/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The following tables show the quantity of drugs seized and their approximate street value for 2008 (up to 25th November):

It is not possible, with any degree of scientific precision, to estimate the proportion of seized drugs relative to the overall market for illicit drugs. However, through ongoing specific initiatives and intelligence-led operations, An Garda Síochána continues to seize substantial quantities of illegal drugs destined for the streets in this jurisdiction, disrupting those criminals involved in the importation, distribution, sale and supply of illegal drugs in Ireland.

Initiatives undertaken by An Garda Síochána to target those suspected of involvement in this type of criminality include:

1. the allocation of additional resources to National Units involved in combating illegal drug-trafficking and organised crime gangs;

2. enhanced co-operation and co-ordination between National Units and District and Divisional Drug Units in identifying and targeting those persons identified as being involved in the sale, supply and distribution of illegal drugs at a local level;

3. continued collaboration with the Revenue Commissioners (Customs & Excise Branch), the Naval Service and other international law enforcement agencies, including participation at the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre for Narcotics, which was recently established in Lisbon, Portugal in identifying and targeting those involved in the importation of illegal drugs into this jurisdiction;

4. increasing public awareness of issues relating to the sale, supply and distribution of drugs, through working with communities and community groups to encourage co-operation with An Garda Síochána; and

5. ongoing training programmes for personnel as Divisional Asset Profilers, who have the specific remit of targeting assets of persons who are suspected of being involved in the importation, sale and supply of drugs at local, divisional, and district level.

These specific initiatives are taken in conjunction with the responsibility on all members of An Garda Síochána who are tasked with implementing the criminal law, including relevant drug-trafficking legislation. The recent interception by the Joint Task Force off the West Coast of a shipment of Cocaine being imported for the European market is an example of the excellent results achievable through a multi-agency, intelligence-led approach to the activities associated with the trafficking, importation and sale and supply of illegal drugs.