Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Department of Justice and Equality

Drug Dealing

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the additional measures that will be implemented by her Department and by agencies under the remit of her Department in relation to tackling the scourge of illegal drugs throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26117/22]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is acutely aware of the significant and sustained damage that drug dealing inflicts on communities across the country. Organised criminal activity, including drug dealing, represents a serious threat to community safety.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy, 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025'. This strategy represents a whole-of-government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland.

The Government’s strategic approach is health-led to reduce demand while balancing this approach with reducing access to illegal drugs. The strategy also aims to reduce the numbers criminalised for the possession of drugs for personal use, diverting these people to health and diversion treatments to address their habits and behaviours. 

The strategy is being delivered under the stewardship of the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Mr Frank Feighan, T.D., and encompasses actions by a range of Government Departments and agencies in partnership with the community and voluntary drug treatment sectors. My Department, along with its associated agencies, continues to work closely with all stakeholders within the oversight structures to implement the strategy, the National Oversight Committee and Standing Sub-Committee.

While the strategy aims to support the most vulnerable people who use drugs, it is also matched with strong enforcement measures across government to tackle the supply of illegal drugs. The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) is having significant success in disrupting drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. I am advised by the Garda authorities that in 2021, the GNDOCB seized almost €64m worth of illicit drugs and over €5.6m in cash, a significant increase from 2019, when there were over €21m worth of illicit drugs and over €2.5m in cash seized. 

The Bureau’s work is supported by Divisional Drugs Units nationwide, and by all Gardaí working in local communities. GNDOCB also works closely and productively with international law enforcement partners. Gardaí continue to work closely with local authorities, the HSE, NGOs, community groups and other State agencies to tackle the problems of drug addiction and abuse.  

I can inform the Deputy that on 2 July 2021, An Garda Síochána commenced Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing throughout rural and urban Ireland. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national and local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.

Recent successes of Operation Tara include the seizure of an estimated €1.12 million of suspected cannabis and €420,000 of suspected cocaine in Counties Kildare and Meath on 7 May and the seizure of approximately €52,000 worth of cannabis plants in Bailieboro, Co Cavan on 26 April.

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