620. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the actions he has taken to address drug related intimidation in Cork in the past 12 months. [32139/26]
621. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether a specific offence exists for drug related intimidation; and whether he will consider introducing same. [32140/26]

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: I propose to take Questions Nos. 620 and 621 together.

Drug-related intimidation is a serious 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.

I am fully committed to significantly reducing the harms caused to families and communities by the illegal drugs trade, including drug-related intimidation. 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.

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.

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. This year, in Cork alone, Gardai have seized over €1,350,000 worth of illegal drugs.