Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 398 to 400, inclusive, together.

The Deputy will be aware from the replies I have provided for him in response to a number of recent parliamentary questions of my determination to ensure the necessary resources and measures will be in place to deal with organised crime, the fight against which is one of a number of priorities I have specifically set for the Garda Síochána in the Garda policing plan for 2012.

The issue of organised crime on the island of Ireland was also one of the subjects discussed at the tripartite meeting held on Wednesday last involving the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, Mr. Ford, and the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice, at which we considered the interaction between organised crime in Ireland and Scotland and what could be done to achieve better co-ordination in these areas.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation of resources, including personnel, within the force; this is a function which is exercised in close consultation with his senior management team. The Commissioner has indicated that the Garda Síochána deploys significant resources for operations and strategies aimed at targeting, dismantling and disrupting criminal networks using advanced analytical and intelligence-led methodologies. Moreover, he has confirmed that this is a process that will be maintained.

In implementing Garda actions a multi-agency law enforcement approach is used as part of which Garda national units from the national support service work together to combat those involved in organised crime. Furthermore, the multi-agency operations are supported by Garda personnel at divisional and district level. The multi-disciplinary approach also plays a key part in targeting the assets of individuals and groups involved in criminal enterprises. This includes the ongoing work of the Criminal Assets Bureau, the use of proceeds of crime and money-laundering legislation, and co-operation between the Garda and external agencies such as the Revenue Commissioners, the Customs service and international law enforcement agencies. This comprehensive approach has led to many successes in combating organised gangs, depriving them of their financial resources and bringing individuals involved in such groups before the courts.

I appreciate that the Deputy has asked a number of specific questions about how the Garda Síochána operates in the fight against organised crime. Perhaps we will might back to these in a supplementary question.

Additional Information not given on the floor of the House

Owing to the nature of the relevant Garda activities, I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to go into detail on the measures the Garda is adopting. I can, however, confirm that they are extensive and have proved to be very successful. In the circumstances, I hope the Deputy will appreciate the extent to which measures have been put in place to combat criminal gangs. The Commissioner has indicated that the pressure being put on gangs will continue. They will be monitored and kept under constant review, as will the level and nature of Garda resources required to continue to target their activities.

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