Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is aware of the serious problem of drug tourism, where people come to Limerick city to secure and use illicit drugs; the actions the Garda intends to take to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36300/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Tackling drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities, is a top priority for the Government and my Department.

A number of key actions have been taken as part of our plan to tackle illegal drug use. This includes:

• Increasing the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life in prison to tackle those who direct gangland and drug related crime;
• Enacting new laws to criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime;
• Drafting new laws which will provide for the use of facial recognition technology in the investigation of certain drug offences;
• Rolling out a support programme to break the link between the gangs and the children they try to recruit.

• Operation Galvone is ongoing on the Southside of the city targeting organised crime groups and implements regular patrols and investigation;
• Operation Croí involves the city centre crime prevention unit focusing on anti-social behaviour, recidivist offenders in respect of retail theft and sale and supply of drug related activity;
• Members attached to the Limerick Garda Division remain committed to fully supporting the objectives of Operation Tara locally through disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting drug trafficking networks at all levels. The Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit regularly engages in intelligence-led operations targeting individuals and Organised Crime Groups involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs in Limerick. These activities have resulted in several successes in terms of significant seizures of controlled drugs and convictions secured against individuals involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs.
• Operation Coronation, which commenced in 2020 in the Limerick Garda Division and supported by the Criminal Assets Bureau, has focused on money and assets accumulated by individuals involved in organised crime, particularly through the sale and supply of controlled drugs. This Operation is ongoing and focuses on the investigation and prosecution of money laundering offences, organised crime offences, and the seizure of assets. To date, there have been significant seizures of controlled drugs and cash under the auspices of Operation Coronation, with several individuals having appeared before the Courts charged in relation to money laundering and organised crime offences.
• The Crime Functional Area in Limerick continuously carry out large scale investigations in connection with the Criminal Assets Bureau around those displaying wealth with linkage to the sale and supply of drugs.