Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

From the many arrests that have taken place in recent months and the many successes of the Garda, not only in detecting crime and arresting individuals but also in the seizure of the goods to which I referred, no one could possibly think this matter has gone off the agenda. This is a central agenda of An Garda Síochána and it results in the very specific and successful targeting of gangs and individuals. As the Deputy knows, the difficulty is that when individuals from a gang find themselves sentenced to a term of imprisonment, others appear on the scene and seek to take their place. Gardaí, with great bravery, put their lives at risk in facing individuals who have no moral compass or compunction about taking life. The Garda, with my full support and that of the Commissioner, is extremely effective in tackling the individuals in question, bringing them before the courts and securing convictions.

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