2461. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he or Departmental staff have any plans to examine the huge issues being caused by the illegal drug trade and organised crime and chaos which ensues, and which require adequate policing tools that are not always available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59406/26]

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Tackling the scourge of drug dealing and targeting the actions 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.

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.

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.

Earlier this month, Gardaí, working in collaboration with other agencies, seized over €2 million in controlled drugs in one operation alone. The operation involved personnel attached to the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), Customs Revenue Service and Drug Units based in the Longford, Mayo, Roscommon, Kildare and Drogheda. Last week, Gardaí and Revenue Customs Service seized cannabis worth an estimated €7.84 Million during an operation at Dublin Port.

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.

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 intimidation.

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 I will continue to do everything I can to support Gardaí in this regard.

_________________________________________

Dáil Éireann debate. Questions 2298, 2299, 2300 - An Garda Síochána [Data] [57394/26, 57395/26, 57396/26].

2298. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of crime incidents recorded by An Garda Síochána in each Garda division, together with the rate per 10,000 population in each division, in each of the years 2021 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57394/26]

2299. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of controlled drug offences recorded in each Garda division, distinguishing between possession for personal use and possession for sale or supply, together with the rate per 10,000 population, in each of the years 2021 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57395/26]

2300. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of firearms and offensive weapons offences recorded in each Garda division in each of the years 2021 to date in 2026, together with the rate per 10,000 population, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57396/26]

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2298, 2299 and 2300 together.

The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration does not collate or publish crime statistics. That responsibility rests with the Central Statistics Office (CSO), established under the Statistics Act 1993. Under Section 13 of the Statistics Act 1993, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) is fully independent in its role of issuing statistics.

Recorded crime statistics are published quarterly and are available from the CSO website at www.cso.ie/en/statistics/crimeandjustice/

The CSO also publishes detailed information at www.data.cso.ie. The report titled CJQ06: Recorded Crime Incidents provides the information requested by the Deputy by type of offence and by Garda Division.