Fine Gael community, rural, and Gaeltacht affairs spokesperson Michael Ring has described the new National Drugs Strategy as “worryingly vague”, adding that the crisis in the public finances means that the strategy has to be built on clear actions that can be delivered despite budgetary constraints.
“The publication of a new strategy is welcome in recognising the changes and challenges we are now dealing with but there is a worrying sense of déjà vu when, as with previous Government reports, there are long lists of recommendations with no targets for delivery,” Dep Ring said. “Many recommendations come with a note on the economic situation which makes for little faith in their implementation.
“The work of the gardaí, especially in the community, is vital. However a crucial missing element, as has been pointed out by Fine Gael’s justice spokesperson Charlie Flanagan, is stopping drugs getting into Ireland in the first place, and the under-resourcing of our Customs service. Gangland criminals can import drugs into Ireland easily — through small airports which rarely see a Customs officer, through the vastly under-patrolled coastline guarded by just one patrol boat and through all our ports which share a single X-ray container scanner between them. The economic crisis should also see the adoption of another Fine Gael proposal — for money seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau to be ring-fenced for the fight against drugs.”
