Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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19. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the specific actions his Department intends to take in response to the recent increase in drug-related arrests across Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54139/25]

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

An Garda Síochána continues to implement an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy through Operation Tara. The focus of this operation is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national and local. It extends to anyone involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.

I understand that, as part of Operation Tara and ongoing investigations targeting the sale and distribution of controlled drugs and drug trafficking networks, Gardaí from the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit seized cocaine with an estimated street value of €161,000 and arrested a man on 1 September 2025.

Under Operation Tara, individuals and groups involved in the drug trade will continue to be the target of enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest crime trends.

At a national level, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau leads in tackling all forms of drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs in Ireland. Collaboration at an inter-agency and international level remain key in tackling this issue. Given the global nature of the drugs trade, international law enforcement co-operation remains a key element in the overall response.

While the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of Garda resources, I am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I am pleased to say that I secured a record allocation for An Garda Síochána in last Tuesday's Budget of over €2.59 billion for 2026, which will support the recruitment of up to 1000 Gardaí and 200 Garda staff in 2026.

We can see throughout our communities the damage and devastation that organised drug crime gangs heap on society. The motivator for all these organised crime gangs when it comes to the dealing of drugs is money.

The Criminal Assets Bureau continues to be at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this country and disrupting the activities of criminal gangs by depriving them of ill-gotten assets.

My Department is also working to introduce legislation to further strengthen the State’s ability to seize criminal assets and to target the proceeds of crime. The new Bill will also speed up the process to dispose of seized assets for the benefit of the State.

The Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, guided by the whole of Government national drugs and alcohol strategy. While this strategy recognises the need for a balanced health-led approach, it is also matched with strengthened enforcement measures across government to tackle the supply of illegal drugs.

Sustained action by An Garda Síochána continues unabated, bringing significant convictions and ongoing seizures of drugs, firearms and ammunition. I can assure the Deputy that we will continue to do everything we can to support Gardaí in this regard.