Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Witnesses are unwilling to co-operate in many cases with the Garda in the detection and prosecution of these offences. I have provided immense resources for the force and I informed the Garda Commissioner on a number of occasions that if he believes he can get more value for additional resources under Operation Anvil, I will give him 100% backing. A budget of approximately €11 million has been provided for the operation this year. The Commissioner was recently advised that an additional €10 million is available for further operations to tackle gun-related crime. A substantial number of firearms has been seized but not all firearms have been seized and while they are available, the Garda faces a threat that is difficult to counter.

My strategy is to back the Garda Commissioner with resources and legislative and administrative support. The House is in the process of substantially strengthening firearms law by introducing mandatory advisory sentences for the Judiciary. That legislation will also provide for a firearms amnesty. While it has not come to public notice, the Garda has had significant success in recent times disrupting the activities of a number of the major players in the Dublin area.

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