Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Deputy Jim O'Callaghan): Recent violent incidents in our communities, including the tragic deaths of the English family in Waterford, have brought renewed focus to the issue of drug-related intimidation and the devastating impact of organised crime. I wish to begin by extending my deepest condolences, and I am sure the condolences of this House, to the family of young Elliot English. He was only six years old. His death, and the deaths of his mother, father and two brothers, have shocked communities across the country. While the investigation of this horrific attack is a matter for the gardaí and relevant authorities, it has understandably renewed public concern about the harm that organised criminality, drug trafficking and intimidation can inflict on communities, families and individuals.

Drug-related intimidation is one of the most corrosive forms of criminality facing our society. It thrives on fear, exploits vulnerability and leaves families living under threat in their own homes. This behaviour is utterly unacceptable. It will not be tolerated and it will continue to be confronted through robust law enforcement, targeted interventions and co-ordinated action across government.

To anyone living under threat because of drug-related intimidation, whether through coercion, violence or attempts to collect so-called drug debts, my message is simple: you are not alone. The drug-related intimidation reporting programme operates nationwide and provides a confidential mechanism through which victims and families can seek support from An Garda Síochána. Gardaí assess each report based on the particular circumstances involved, with the safety and well-being of the individual or family as the foremost consideration. I urge anyone experiencing intimidation, anyone concerned about a family member or, indeed, a constituent, to contact An Garda Síochána. Reports are treated seriously, sensitively and confidentially. If people do not contact An Garda Síochána, regrettably they will find themselves responding to this threat on their own. They need to have confidence in the gardaí and be aware that they will get support provided confidentially and sensitively by the gardaí.

I have referenced the criminal networks that are behind the intimidation. I want to assure this House that our law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle these groups. Gardaí continue to tackle the importation, distribution and sale of illegal drugs. Operation Tara, the national Garda operation targeting organised drug dealing, is regularly producing seizures across the country, including €2.5 million of cocaine seized in north inner city of Dublin on Monday, 2 November. Three firearms and ammunition were also recovered in this operation, with two men and a woman arrested.

On Sunday, 8 November, as part of an intelligence-led operation, members of An Garda Síochána's Wexford drug and detective unit seized cocaine with an estimated value of €1million. Within the past week, gardaí have also made drug seizures in Limerick, Laois, Clare and Kildare. Intelligence-led operations, co-ordinated investigations and targeted enforcement activity, undertaken by the Garda national drugs and organised crime bureau, together with regional Garda units and the Criminal Assets Bureau have also led to criminal networks being deprived of drugs, cash, assets and the profits that sustain their illegal activities.

Operation Fógra, the Garda operation targeting drug-related intimidation with a victim centred approach, also runs in tandem with Operation Tara. Between Monday, 2 November and Friday 6 November, four people were arrested under organised crime legislation as part of a search and arrest operation in north Dublin. Quantities of cash and luxury items, as well as a vehicle, were seized. These arrests brought to 12 the number of people arrested and detained in respect of a criminal organisation operating in north Dublin.

I commend the work of the gardaí in these, and all the other, daily interventions they undertake to make our communities safer. Every seizure removes profits from criminal organisations. Every arrest disrupts criminal networks. Every intervention weakens the ability of those involved in organised crime to intimidate and exploit vulnerable people. These operations demonstrate that An Garda Síochána continues to target not only those involved in the supply of illegal drugs, but also those who seek to use fear and violence to maintain criminal control over communities.

Since taking office, I have made increasing Garda numbers and strengthening front-line policing a key priority. Recruitment is continuing at a strong pace and recently An Garda Síochána has reached the highest number of sworn Garda members in the history of the State, with 14,825 members serving across the country. That number will increase when we have the final attestation of the year next month bringing the numbers of sworn members of An Garda Síochána to 15,000 or very close to that.

Criminal organisations are sophisticated, well-funded and persistent. The State must be equally determined. I remain firmly committed to ensuring the gardaí have the resources they need. The additional investment being provided through budget 2027 will support the recruitment of up to 1,000 gardaí, strengthen specialist policing capabilities and ensure gardaí have the resources necessary to tackle organised crime at every level. These are not simply budgetary figures. They represent more gardaí in our communities, greater investigative capacity and a stronger response to intimidation, violence and organised crime.

Drug use is a scourge on our communities. We must also recognise and acknowledge, however, that no single intervention can eliminate organised crime, drug trafficking or drug-related intimidation. This is, as Members of this House know, a complex issue. It requires robust law enforcement but it also requires health services, family supports, community organisations, youth services and local leadership working together. Enforcement alone cannot address the underlying harms experienced by the individuals and families affected by drug use, intimidation and violence. This is why the Government is pursuing this dual approach: disrupting organised crime groups responsible for intimidation while ensuring victims and affected families can access practical supports and protections. This balanced approach recognises that community safety is about more than enforcement alone. It is about building resilience, strengthening communities and ensuring that those affected know that support is available.

The long-term answer to organised crime requires stronger communities, stronger local partnerships and stronger opportunities. That is why the Government is supporting the new local community safety partnerships, which bring together local authorities, gardaí, the HSE, Tusla, community organisations, residents and councillors to identify and address local safety concerns.

The national strategy for community safety was launched by me earlier this week. It marks a significant milestone in how we approach community safety in Ireland. For the first time, we have a dedicated national framework to assist government, public services, local authorities, businesses and community organisations in coming together to deliver safer communities. It is about ensuring that everyone, regardless of who they are or where they live, can feel safe, supported and connected within their community. The launch of the strategy marks the next chapter in the evolution of community safety in Ireland and is a key element of the new community safety infrastructure established under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.

Each of the 36 local community safety partnerships supported by the strategy are developing a local community safety plan based on the priorities identified by local communities themselves. These partnerships reflect a simple principle: communities themselves must be part of the solution. By bringing together local knowledge, public services and community leadership, we can develop responses that are tailored to local needs and focused on prevention as well as enforcement.

Alongside the measures outlined, the Government is also supporting communities through the DRIVE programme, a Department of Health-led initiative designed to respond to drug-related intimidation and violence. DRIVE brings together the gardaí, health services, drug and alcohol task forces, family support services and community organisations to ensure that those affected can access co-ordinated support. More than 800 practitioners have already received specialist training through the programme. The Government remains fully committed to this work. Budget 2027 provides an additional €300,000 in recurring funding, doubling investment in the programme and supporting its expansion nationwide.

I am conscious that some victims of intimidation may feel trapped and believe there is no way out. I want those individuals and families to know that support is available. The Government stands with victims and affected communities. We stand firmly against those who seek to profit from fear, violence and addiction.

I want to be clear in stating that organised criminal groups will not be allowed to control or own our communities. They do not define our future. The State has the resources, determination and resolve to confront them, and we are confronting them daily. I want those who live under threat to know that help is available and that the Garda will treat reports of intimidation seriously and confidentially. I want those engaged in intimidation and violence to know that the Garda will continue to target their activities, disrupt their operations and bring offenders before the courts.

Our approach is clear. There will be strong enforcement, practical support for victims, resilient communities and sustained investment in public safety. That is how we will protect communities, support victims and ensure that organised criminals are relentlessly pursued.

Of course, what is funding all of this illegal activity is the profits that are made by criminal gangs from dealing in illegal drugs. I know there are very many people in our society who, tragically, are addicted to drugs, and it is very hard for them not to seek drugs daily. We need to acknowledge, however, that there are many people within our community who use drugs for recreational purposes. They are not addicted to drugs and they decide to use them for their own selfish gratification. They may not be aware of it but it is important that we in this House emphasise to them that by involving themselves in the industry, they are funding the type of violence that we saw in Waterford recently. They are enabling drug dealers to engage in the type of intimidation and violence that all of us abhor. It is important that I, as Minister for justice, communicate a message to those people who use recreational drugs that by doing so, they are facilitating and encouraging the activities that everyone in this House wants to see stopped...

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