Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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79. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how he intends to address the prevalence of drugs in rural Ireland, and its consequences on community safety and criminality in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54197/25]

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, including in rural 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.

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. Under Operation Tara, Gardaí recently seized €1.9m worth of cocaine and cannabis in New Ross, Co Wexford. In a separate investigation, they seized over €750,000 worth of cannabis from a grow house in Drogheda, Co Louth in August.

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.

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 are at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this country and disrupting the activities of criminal gangs by depriving them of ill-gotten assets.

I will be introducing 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.

Drug Related Intimidation is also a high priority for An Garda Síochána. Nominated Garda Inspectors are available throughout the country through the Drugs Related Intimidation Reporting Programme to assist victims of intimation. I am assured that An Garda Síochána maintains a coordinated and effective approach in protecting communities, individuals and their families from the harm and pain caused by drug abuse, associated violence and intimidation.

In May, alongside the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy, I launched the DRIVE (Drug related intimidation & violence engagement) project. DRIVE’s primary goal is to establish effective systems and structures for a unified, timely, and sensitive response to drug-related intimidation. It focuses on responding to incidents, supporting those affected, and preventing future occurrences.

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.

The recently published Rural Safety Plan 2025-2027 contains a number of relevant actions in this area, including to ensure nationwide accessibility to youth diversion services and to improve drug harm reduction across rural communities.

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.