Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I do not deny that figure and the legislation is not the reason. Gardaí say they have strong legislation, dedicated detective units, high levels of resources and considerable overtime and manpower reserves. They have the special protection programmes. While Deputy Gilmore has an issue on the legislation, the commissioner does not believe they require anything more than they have. The problem is that even when the lives of individuals are under threat, individuals have been injured and there is intelligence that they are open to being attacked by hitmen, they will not co-operate with the Garda. It is not a lack of legislative power, a witness protection programme or resources. In these instances the Garda is obliged, as it is at several locations, to have 24/7 by 365 security to stop some of the groups engaging in violence against each other and, by extension, engaging in criminal activities in the community. That is why it costs so much of taxpayers' money. It is a very costly activity for the Garda, but it significantly decreased the number of gangland deaths in 2007. When talking about deaths, I am never happy to say the number has decreased because it is not good to have any.

The Garda Commissioner's latest statement is that he will continue the assessments under Operation Anvil of the groups involved in gangland crimes. The Criminal Assets Bureau is involved in dealing with the proceeds of such crimes, including through liaison between it and the various Garda divisions which takes place every other day. In many such cases court proceedings do not work because nobody will give evidence. That, not the intelligence, is the reason for the lack of convictions. I have been at security briefings where gardaí have outlined whom they believe is responsible, but unless we have very draconian laws, which none of us wants to have, we cannot stop it. That is the reality. The Garda must continue its efforts. It has had some good successes in breaking gangs recently and we must continue to support its efforts to break more.

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