206. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware that there is currently no specific offence for drug-related intimidation. [6189/26]

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: I am fully committed to helping to significantly reduce the harms caused to families and communities by the illegal drugs trade, including drug-related intimidation.

Drug-related intimidation is a pervasive issue that inflicts profound harm on individuals, families, and communities nationwide. I am conscious that such intimidation can be a terrifying experience for families, who may already be dealing with the trauma of seeing a loved-one in addiction. For the wider community, it can negatively impact their sense of safety and security. Unfortunately, we have seen several incidents of this serious and reprehensible criminal behaviour recently.

An Garda Síochána have legislative powers available to them to tackle the issue of drug related intimidation. These include, but are not limited to:

• Coercion pursuant to section 9 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997,
• Harassment pursuant to section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997,
• Blackmail, extortion and demanding money with menaces pursuant to section 17 Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 and;
• Section 15 Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, as amended.

I can assure the Deputy that tackling drug intimidation is a major priority for An Garda Síochána and they are successful in securing convictions and putting those responsible behind bars. The Garda Commissioner has tasked an Inspector in every Garda Division to respond to the issue of drug-related intimidation. An Garda Síochána encourage those affected to come forward and report all instances of drug-related violence and intimidation as early reporting can help them to intervene earlier and prevent such attacks.

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Dáil Éireann debate. Question 217 – Drug dealing [6076/26]

217. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the plans his Department has this year to deal with the scourge of drugs and drug-related crime, including drug debt intimidation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6076/26]

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Tackling the scourge of drug dealing and targeting organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities across Ireland is a top priority for the government and An Garda Síochána.

I am fully committed to significantly reducing the harms caused to families and communities by illicit drug use. The three main policy objectives my Department are seeking to achieve in this area are:

• tackling organised crime;
• minimising the harms caused to those with addiction issues; and
• diverting people from involvement in crime and illicit drug-related activity.

A number of key actions have been taken as part of our plan to tackle organised crime and the illegal drug trade, including:

• 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;
• New laws have been enacted which criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime;
• Drafting new laws which will provide for the use of biometric recognition technology in the investigation of certain drug offences;
• Further investment in youth justice initiatives that divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in criminal behaviour.

The Government is fully committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to fight organised crime and the illegal drugs trade. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.74 billion in Budget 2026.

Operation Tara aims to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels – international, national and local – involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs. Under Operation Tara, individuals and groups involved in the drug trade are the target of enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest crime trends.

In terms of minimising harms, the Garda Commissioner has tasked an Inspector in every Garda Division to respond to the issue of drug-related intimidation. Information on the Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme and a list of the nominated Inspectors countrywide is available on the Garda website.

In May, alongside my colleague Minister Murnane O’Connor, 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.

DRIVE promotes interagency collaboration by bringing together law enforcement, health services, social services, and community organisations to tackle Drug Related Intimidation from multiple perspectives. It operates on a national scale across Ireland, ensuring consistent and comprehensive support in all regions.