Fine Gael has called for extra community gardaí to tackle anti-social behaviour and drug-dealing in Dublin city.
The party’s justice spokesman, Charlie Flanagan, said gardaí were needed on the beat in the city centre to “deter drug dealers from plying their trade, especially in civic spaces”.
“Last September, I wrote to the Garda Commissioner drawing his attention to the issue of drug dealers plying their trade in broad daylight in Dublin city centre, following a representation from a concerned citizen.
“Unfortunately, the problem has continued to worsen since,” Mr Flanagan said.
“It really is a sign that law and order has broken down in a community when dealers can sell drugs openly on the streets and along the Liffey boardwalk – a facility denied to the people of this city and its visitors by drug dealers.”
Mr Flanagan said the Government’s decision to cut funding for the confidential 'dial to stop drug-dealing' helpline was a “blow to the fight against drug dealing”.
“Drugs are pouring into Ireland due to Government neglect. One X-ray scanner for every port, one single patrol boat for the enormous 5,800 kilometres of coastline, and infrequent or non-existent customs inspections at smaller and private airports provide drug dealers with carte blanche to bring drugs into this country,” Mr Flanagan said.
He said the “war on drugs” required strategic resources, particularly in the area of community policing and customs. He said he would raise the issue with Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern when the Dáil resumes next week.
There was no immediate response from the Garda Press Office.