Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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158. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average sentence for those imprisoned for cannabis-related offences in each of the years 2013 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14391/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of statistics.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the information sought by the Deputy cannot be provided as statistics on record refer to drugs offences generally and are not categorised by the type of drug.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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159. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cannabis-related offences before the Court of Appeal in each of the years 2013 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14392/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of statistics.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the records of the Court of Appeal are not maintained in such a way as to facilitate an answer to this question. It would be necessary to conduct a manual check of each appeal heard during the period concerned where a drugs offence was the subject of the conviction and/or sentence under appeal and it is not feasible to do so. The position is the same in relation to records of the Court of Criminal Appeal for appeals heard by that Court in 2013 and up to the 28th October 2014 when the Court of Appeal was established and inherited the jurisdiction previously exercisable by the Court of Criminal Appeal.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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160. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the street value of cannabis seized by An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2013 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14393/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the attached table from data available in the 2013 to 2017 annual reports of An Garda Síochána, the 2018 annual report is not yet published.

The continued disruption of the supply of all illicit drugs remains a priority for An Garda Síochána and the other state agencies tasked with responsibilities in this regard. An Garda Síochána remains resolute in its determination to act against those within society who pose a significant threat to the welfare and well-being of our citizens and the communities they serve. A core focus of the work carried out by An Garda Síochána is aimed at tackling drug distribution and organised crime.

In this regard, recent intelligence-led operations have resulted in significant drugs seizures by An Garda Síochána, including a seizure of cannabis herb with an estimated street value of €200,000 in Longford in February; and a seizure of cannabis herb with an estimated street value of €360,000 in Dublin earlier this month.

Tabular Statement

* Cannabis plants are calculated based on figures recorded on PULSE as not all plants seized are routinely sent to the FSL.