Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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565. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases that the Garda national drugs and organised crime bureau have dealt with in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [8347/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I want to assure the Deputy that I am acutely conscious of the devastating impact that illegal drugs and drug dealing have on communities across the country. Tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity, including by organised crime groups and by members of the public who, through their drug taking fuel this illegal and very harmful trade, is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and the Government.

It should be noted that the majority of drug related cases are dealt with at a local level, with assistance, where required, coming from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) in the most serious cases.

The GNDOCB has had significant, sustained success to proactively disrupt, dismantle and prosecute those persons engaged in various forms of serious criminal activity such as murder, armed robberies, drugs and firearms trafficking, and associated money laundering offences.

For the Deputy's information, the table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of cases that the GNDOCB has dealt with in 2022 and up to and including 31 January 2023, the latest date for which figures are available.

* 'Arrests' refers to number of persons arrested for serious organised crime related offences, including drug trafficking, money laundering, possession of firearms and associated offences.

** 'Convictions' refers to number of persons convicted of serious organised crime related activity in the courts.

GNDOCB are also involved in 'Threat to Life Operations' but, due to the operational sensitivity of these operations, figures have not been provided.