James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to re-instate gardaí engaged in the plain clothes anti-drugs squad in the Longford area, who were very successful in combating drugs in the county but were withdrawn by the previous Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5522/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Responsibility for the allocation of personnel, both uniformed and plain clothes, in An Garda Síochána rests with the Garda Commissioner. I have been informed by him that the full time dedicated Divisional Drugs Unit for the Roscommon/Longford Division is based in Roscommon Garda Station and comprises six Gardaí under the supervision of a Detective Sergeant. Local Garda Management is of the view that the establishment of the Unit, based in Roscommon, ensures a more cohesive and coordinated approach to the enforcement of drugs legislation within the Division. While the members are physically based in Roscommon, their remit remains division-wide.

The Divisional Officer is satisfied that the Unit is deployed on a regular basis in Longford and other locations within the Division, as the need and crime trends indicate. Liaison is maintained with local District Officers regarding intelligence-gathering and the monitoring of movements of local suspected offenders in respect of the sale and supply of illegal drugs within the Division. The situation is closely monitored by local Garda Management in consultation with the Regional Assistant Commissioner.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to review Gardaí divisions, following the retrograde step by the previous Government, which resulted in the splitting of Longford/Westmeath and placing Longford in the Roscommon division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5523/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Acts, proposals to alter the boundaries of a divisional geographical area are a matter in the first instance for the Garda Commissioner in the context of the Annual Policing Plan. The 2008 Policing Plan, which was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, contained proposals from the Commissioner to realign Garda boundaries in a number of areas around the country.

In that context the Commissioner established a Programme Board, chaired by an Assistant Commissioner, to oversee the implementation of changes to Garda boundaries nationwide. In addition, Project Boards chaired by the local Divisional officers were established in each Division to develop tailored implementation plans and ensure that service delivery to the community would be maintained to a high standard following realignment.

The boundary changes in question resulted in the establishment of the new Roscommon/Longford Division and they were part of an overall package to provide an improved service to the general public. I have been advised by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that this objective has been realised and that currently they have no plans to alter Garda divisional boundaries.