Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy has asked some interesting questions. It is important to realise that terms like "gangland killing" and "organised crime" are widely used by the media to refer to certain serious crimes, including unlawful killings of the kind to which the Deputy referred. The media also often suggests that the victims of such crimes were "known to the Garda". The Garda Síochána subjects all murders and violent crimes to detailed and thorough investigation, regardless of the terms used to classify such incidents in public commentary. Caution is necessary when ascribing a motive to a particular incident because this could potentially jeopardise the proper investigative and prosecution procedures which need to be followed by the Garda authorities. All criminal organisations have used violence and intimidation and will continue to do so. As Deputy Finian McGrath correctly stated, we need to put a strategy in place. Our citizens demand action in respect of matters of this nature.

Organised crime, which is not a new phenomenon, creates a climate of fear among the general public and among the criminals involved. There are potentially huge profits involved in organised crime and to these criminals, money is power. Many of them are prepared to take whatever action is deemed necessary to protect their positions, including resorting to violence and, in certain cases, committing murder. Killings within the criminal fraternity are usually well planned and conducted. By their nature, they are often more difficult to resolve than other forms of crime. There are often fewer evidential links to aid the Garda's investigations of such matters. I outlined the official strategy for dealing with these matters in my initial reply.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to combat serious crime. Like the Minister, I have met the Garda Commissioner and other senior Garda personnel on many occasions to discuss crimes which might be categorised as gangland or organised crime. The Commissioner is satisfied that the necessary operational and financial resources are being directed towards the containment and detection of such crimes. The Commissioner has assured me that no effort will be spared in the drive to solve such crimes and to bring those involved to justice.

The establishment and operation of the Criminal Assets Bureau is one of the major crime prevention strategies that has been adopted by the State. The bureau continues to enjoy considerable success in depriving persons engaged in criminal activity of the proceeds of such activity. The bureau's activities entail an element of prevention because the removal of the financial substratum of organised criminals leads to the elimination of their capacity to engage in crimes such as those to which Deputy Finian McGrath refers. I am sure the Deputy is aware that the remit of the bureau involves confiscating, freezing or seizing criminal assets, ensuring that criminal proceeds are subject to tax and investigation and determining the eligibility of claims for benefit or assistance under the social welfare code made by criminals or those suspected of criminal activity.

Since its statutory inception in October 1996 up to 31 December last, the Criminal Assets Bureau obtained interim and final restraint orders in the value of over €52 million and €23 million, respectively. In the same period, taxes and interest demanded were in excess of €81 million and over €72 million of this was collected. In addition, social welfare savings amounted to over €1.7 million. The Criminal Assets Bureau has enjoyed substantial success and its innovative approach is much admired in other jurisdictions.

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