asked the Minister for Justice to what extent cocaine and "crack" are available in the Dublin metropolitan area, and in the country as a whole; the number of detections and the quantities seized for the first nine months of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were 12 detections involving the seizure of 145 grammes of cocaine in the period in question. There were no detections or seizures involving "crack".

As regards the first part of the question, I am not in a position to comment except in the context of the information available to the Garda Síochána but I would invite the Deputy's attention to the reply given by my colleague, the Minister for Health, to Question No. 35 on 12 November, in the course of which he said there is no indication that there is any significant problem here in relation to the abuse of cocaine and no evidence at all of "crack" being available.

Is the Minister aware that "crack"— which apparently is derived from cocaine fairly simply — is highly addictive, has a high fatality rate and, most importantly, provides a very high profit rate which means that if people get into it they are anxious, for profit reasons, to continue to be involved? Is he also aware that in New York it has caused a 100 per cent increase in crime in recent times? For these reasons will the Minister make every effort to ensure we are spared this problem?

I am aware of the factors the Deputy mentioned although I do not really think it is particularly helpful to the debate to say there has been a 100 per cent increase in crime in recent times without specifying it. I take the Deputy's point — there has been an ominous development in New York in particular in this regard. As I have said, there is no evidence to indicate that "crack" is available in this country. The Deputy may be assured that both the Garda authorities and I will use every avenue open to us to ensure that we keep this evil outside our shores.