Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who have been removed from membership for being in contravention of the Defence Forces policy on drugs and substance abuse or misuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42173/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Defence Forces policy on drug and substance abuse or misuse is based on the premise that unlawful possession, supply or use of a controlled drug is incompatible with membership of the Defence Forces. Any member who tests positive is liable to be removed from the Defence Forces. A Compulsory Random Drug Testing (CRDT) programme aimed at deterrence was introduced in October 2002. Since then, 10,178 tests have been conducted with 41 tests yielding a positive result (4.0%). To date, a total of 25 members have been discharged as a result of a positive test result.

Following a review of the regulations and procedures covering Compulsory Random Drug testing in the Defence Forces, I signed an amended set of Regulations relating to CRDT with effect from 11 March 2009. These revised regulations introduced new processes for handling representations as well as enlarging on the appeals procedures. They also provided for the introduction of Targeted Drug Testing (TDT) in defined circumstances.