Written answers

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Deployment

9:00 pm

Photo of Catherine ByrneCatherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí employed in the national drugs squad when it was first set up in 1996; the number of gardaí currently employed in the national drugs squad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3160/09]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of the Garda National Drugs Unit as of 30 January 2009 was 60 Gardaí (all ranks). The personnel strength of the Garda National Drugs Unit as of 31 December 1996 was 49 Gardaí (all ranks).

In addition to the National Unit, each Garda Division has a dedicated Drugs Unit with some 379 Gardaí currently deployed on drug investigations at local level. The Garda National Drugs Unit liaises with all local Drug Units to ensure that drug law enforcement policy is delivered in a clear and structured manner.

A dedicated unit within the Garda National Drugs Unit has also been established to liaise with the Criminal Assets Bureau to particularly target those criminals and criminal groupings believed to be deriving profits and assets from drug-related criminal activity.

Internationally the National Unit works in close co-operation with other agencies and jurisdictions in relation to drug issues. Garda Liaison Officers based in London, The Hague, Madrid, Europol and Interpol provide specific assistance to the National Unit in relation to international aspects of operations which target drug traffickers.

Ireland is also a full member of the MAOC(N) group based in Lisbon, which is an international intelligence led operation against drug trafficking at sea. The targeting of international traffickers is supplemented by a vigorous policy against persons in the Irish State who are supplying controlled drugs.

Senior Garda management is satisfied that, in addition to the considerable ongoing volumes of drugs being seized, significant impact continues to be made by arresting and prosecuting a number of major players suspected of being involved in drug-trafficking through 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.

There is no complacency with regard to this matter. This work is ongoing and Garda operations and strategies to tackle drug supply are reviewed on an continual basis to ensure their effectiveness.

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