House of Commons re: Drug-related Crime

House of Commons 
15 October 2008The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock
Prayers
[Mr. Speaker in the Chair]

Oral Answers to Questions
Northern Ireland

EXCERPT:

The Secretary of State was asked—

Drug-related Crime

1. Andrew Selous (South-West Bedfordshire) (Con): What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of policing in Northern Ireland in relation to drug-related crime. [225763]

The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Paul Goggins): The Police Service of Northern Ireland is committed to building on recent successes in disrupting the supply of drugs in Northern Ireland by increasing the number of significant arrests and seizures and further reducing levels of drug-related crime.

Andrew Selous: Does the Minister share my concern about dissident paramilitary groups undertaking their own policing of drug issues? In particular, Declan Gallagher was apparently told by the Real IRA this month that he would be executed on sight for alleged drug offences and that the Real IRA is well armed and organised. What does the Minister have to say about that?

Paul Goggins: I join the hon. Gentleman in condemning activity of the kind that he has just described. Dissident republicans in Northern Ireland currently pose a threat, particularly to police officers. That needs to be dealt with, and it will be dealt with. There is no excuse whatsoever for any kind of parallel policing arrangements in Northern Ireland. The rule of law and order is there, and it should be seen to be followed.

Mr. Eddie McGrady (South Down) (SDLP): Although we commend the success of the PSNI in obtaining large drug hauls, does the Minister share my concern, which is common to all communities in Northern Ireland, both urban and rural, about the daily peddling of drugs in the streets by so-called small fry? Our immediate concern as a community is to get the small peddlers away from our children and our streets. Will he ask the PSNI to redirect some of its energy to picking up all the small fry, who are well known to the community?

Paul Goggins: I thank my hon. Friend for his support on that important issue. He understands that we must tackle the problem at several different levels. We need to take out the organised criminal gangs that bring in
15 Oct 2008 : Column 782
drugs and distribute them to networks in local neighbourhoods, and we need to make sure that people who peddle drugs on the street are arrested and dealt with, and that young people in particular understand the dangers and harms associated with drug misuse. In that context, I met members of the district policing partnership and the community safety partnership in Craigavon yesterday. They are working to make sure that parents and children are well informed and that there is proper enforcement of the law in relation to drugs offending. A lot of very good work is happening locally ...