The Government is being criticised for 'dramatic cuts' to garda drug squads.

Fianna Fáil claims the number of gardaí assigned to dedicated divisional drugs units has been slashed by over 100 officers in just three years.

In 2011 there were 361 gardaí working on anti-drug taskforces, but by last year that figure had dropped to 253.

The Dublin North division has lost half of its drugs gardaí, while the Cavan-Monaghan district has no drug units left. Wexford only had a single drugs unit garda.

Last week, plans were unveiled for an historic shake up of the force, which will see the National Drugs Unit merge with the Organised Crime Unit.

Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins said he does not think that will be enough:

In a statement, Deputy Collins said the figures were an "appalling reflection of the Government’s stance on drug crime.

"The policy of ignoring Ireland’s drugs crisis has put communities and vulnerable individuals at serious risk. We cannot accept this any longer. We need a strong programme of measures to tackle drug crime and to help the ever increasing number of victims of drugs," he added.