4 November 1999 Edition
Ó Caoláin challenges minister on drugs
Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has challenged the Minister of State with responsibility for Drugs, Fianna Fáil's Chris Flood, on the spread of hard drugs outside the Greater Dublin Area.
Ó Caoláin asked what action the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs proposed to take on the spread of heroin outside Dublin. The minister said that the National Drugs Strategy was targeted on the hardest hit areas. Ó Caoláin commented that this was unsatisfactory and that a strategy of special measures, in addition to the ongoing work of the gardai and health boards, was needed for the rest of the country. He also asked Flood to raise with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, John O'Donoghue, the need for an urgent investigation ``into the issues arising from a recent court case involving a Dublin drug dealer, Declan Griffin, who was acquitted on charges of importing heroin worth £1 million after the jury heard that the importation had been at the behest of his garda handlers''.
Ceann Comhairle Seamus Pattison ruled the question out of order and Minister Flood did not respond but Deputy Ó Caoláin says he will now be pursuing the issue himself with O'Donoghue.
Ó Caoláin asked what action the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs proposed to take on the spread of heroin outside Dublin. The minister said that the National Drugs Strategy was targeted on the hardest hit areas. Ó Caoláin commented that this was unsatisfactory and that a strategy of special measures, in addition to the ongoing work of the gardai and health boards, was needed for the rest of the country. He also asked Flood to raise with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, John O'Donoghue, the need for an urgent investigation ``into the issues arising from a recent court case involving a Dublin drug dealer, Declan Griffin, who was acquitted on charges of importing heroin worth £1 million after the jury heard that the importation had been at the behest of his garda handlers''.
Ceann Comhairle Seamus Pattison ruled the question out of order and Minister Flood did not respond but Deputy Ó Caoláin says he will now be pursuing the issue himself with O'Donoghue.