1036. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the proposal contained within the draft Programme for Government to “review the sentences for those involved in the supply of drugs to ensure that the punishment imposed reflects the destruction and devastation that those in drugs in drugs impose on our communities”; if and how sentences will be increased and or decreased under this proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1740/25]

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: Tackling drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation and violence on families and communities, is a top priority for my Department.

Unprecedented funding has been provided to An Garda Síochána, which has enabled the Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime.

The funding made available to An Garda Síochána has enabled the Commissioner to assign extra resources to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).

An Garda Síochána continues to target those involved in street-level drug dealing across the country and also focuses on disrupting and dismantling the drug trafficking networks that impact on our communities and prosecuting those involved at every level through Operation Tara.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the incoming Government has set the priorities in the draft Programme for Government. Work to progress these commitments will commence on the appointment of the new Government. The Deputy will also appreciate that, as a result, timelines or operational details on policy proposals are not yet available until work programmes are agreed.