The minimum 10-year sentence for possession of drugs with a value of £10,000 will be in force by the end of this year, the Minister for Justice has stated.
Combined with existing laws which allow the State to seize criminals' assets and the prolonged detention of suspects, the new 10-year minimum sentence provision will give the Republic some of the most far-reaching anti-drugs powers in Europe.
Mr O'Donoghue gave the commitment on the new legislation at the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, yesterday when he announced that the Government had agreed to recruit an additional 550 gardai, in keeping with its Programme for Government commitment to a force strength of 12,000. It is currently just over 11,000.
The Minister told the 155 i graduating from the Templemore Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, yesterday graduating gardai that the elimination of the drugs scourge remained a Government priority.
"For my part," he said, "I am pleased to be able to tell you that before this year is out, I expect that the law which will hand down minimum mandatory jail sentences of 10 years for those convicted of dealing in drugs to the value of £10,000 or more will be in force.
"This is a severe penalty but I apologise to no one for introducing it as I believe that this measure is warranted and justified.
"Some people attempted to persuade me to water it down or to distinguish between so-called soft or recreational drugs and hard drugs. As long as I am in the Justice portfolio there will be no watering down or fallacious distinction between so-called soft and hard drugs in our policies to put the drug dealers out of business," he said.
Mr O'Donoghue paid tribute to the work of the Garda National Drugs Unit (GNDU) which, under Chief Supt Ted Murphy, seized more than £70 million pounds worth of drugs during the past year.
It is estimated that almost half the year's total value of seizures occurred in October when more than £30 million pounds worth of drugs were seized.
"We are all aware of the havoc and distress which drugs cause to families who see their children falling prey to those who seek to profit by causing misery to others.
"The Garda Siochana is in the forefront of the unrelenting pursuit of these evil merchants. While there is a mountain yet to climb, the force has had it successes in this respect in the past year.
"Neither I, as the Minister, nor the Government will be found wanting in playing our part or supporting you in maximising the State's response to crime," Mr O'Donoghue added.
At yesterday's ceremony, 29 women and 126 men graduated from the college. The best all-round student award went to Garda Maeve Hourigan, of Dromkeen, Co Limerick. Garda Mark Allen, of Kilsheelan, Co Tipperary, achieved the best aggregate marks and Garda Leo Kiernan, from Athlone, Co Westmeath, won the award for outstanding achievement and appreciation in the area of social sciences.
The Minister told the new gardai that the "breaking down and questioning of authority" which he said was an "increasing feature, particularly with the young", would make the job of garda more difficult and demanding.
"It means you must work hard to win the support and trust of the community. It is very important in this regard to always be cognisant of the rights and the dignity of each individual and to treat people fairly and impartially," he added.
He pointed out that the force had brought about a 10 per cent decrease in crime last year and this trend was continuing.