Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the quantity and values of seizures of heroin, cocaine, cannabis and other drugs here during 2009; the proportion of the overall drugs into here believed to be represented by these seizures; the steps he is taking to control the flow of illegal drugs into here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5755/10]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the quantity and values of seizures of heroin, cocaine, cannabis and other drugs here during 2007, 2008 and 2009; 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. [5611/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 70 together.

I set out below a tabular statement giving the latest available information in relation to drug seizures for 2007, 2008 and 2009. Due to the covert nature of the activity, it is not possible to give a reliable estimate of the proportion of drugs coming into the country that these figures represent. 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 and disrupting those criminals involved in the importation, distribution, sale and supply of illegal drugs in Ireland.

Drugs and organised crime are being prioritised by An Garda Síochána as a core focus for 2010, through the Commissioner's Policing Plan, 2010, which reflects Government strategies contained in the National Drug Strategy. Drugs units are in place in every Garda division and work in partnership with the Garda National Drugs Unit in tackling and targeting drug-related crime. Divisional and District Policing Plans also reflect the focus of the national Policing Plan in terms of drugs enforcement.

As part of a co-ordinated approach. An Garda Síochána makes full use of the international Garda Liaison Network, District and Divisional Drug Units, the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Organised Crime Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau, as well as other specialist units and uniformed and plain-clothes personnel nationwide, in targeting drug supply reduction. An Garda Síochána also has in place a number of strategic partnerships at national and international level to address drug trafficking.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána is satisfied that, in addition to the considerable volume of drugs continuing to be seized, a significant impact has also been made by arresting and prosecuting a number of major players involved in drug trafficking. Gangs and other organised criminal groupings involved in drug-trafficking into Ireland have also been significantly disrupted and dismantled through the ongoing enforcement policies of An Garda Síochána. Recent and ongoing initiatives include:

The operation of the Organised Crime Unit on a permanent capacity,

Ongoing Irish involvement in the work of the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre in Lisbon,

The recent publication of the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill that will see the establishment, for the first time, of a national DNA database in Ireland.

The ongoing development and support by CAB of the Divisional Asset Profiler's Programme.

Furthermore, as the Deputy will know, I have in recent times introduced an extensive suite of criminal justice legislation targeted at those engaged in serious crime (including drug trafficking) including the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act, the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act and the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.

However, it is clear that we cannot tackle the problem of drug misuse through law enforcement measures alone. As set out in the Government's new National Drugs Strategy for the period 2009 to 2016, it is vital to address the problem in a co-ordinated way across the pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. In this context, I can assure the House that my Department, and all the agencies under its aegis, remain fully committed to this approach and to the implementation of the Strategy.

The Garda authorities advise that the following tables show the quantities of drugs seized in 2007, 2008 and 2009 on the basis of cases reported to the Forensic Science Laboratory (valid to 29 January 2010). Statistics provided for 2009 are operational. provisional and liable to change.

2009

2008*:

2007