Mr. Martin Callinan:

The overwhelming majority of the 25 groups to which the Deputy refers, and the other five groups that have tentacles linked with the European and international criminal fraternity, are almost exclusively involved in drug trafficking. It has been the source of their income for many years. It drives almost all serious crime, which is no different from our nearest neighbours in the UK, in central Europe and beyond. Drug trafficking is internationally recognised and accepted as the catalyst for all serious crime issues the country faces. Having said that, many activities are triggered by drug trafficking, such as cash-in-transit robberies. Ordinary firearms crimes, aggravated burglaries and some of the upper end of the burglary crimes are committed by some of these groupings and all are aimed at funding drug activity.