Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This type of crime has an international dimension.

There is very detailed exchange of information with police colleagues in various countries, including Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium. A number of high-profile criminal trials have taken place in those countries. Prison sentences have been served by Irish criminals who have been charged in those jurisdictions. I assure the Deputy that this intensive level of co-operation is ongoing. There is no question about that. We need gardaí working at an intelligence level on investigations, patrolling the streets and providing as much safety as they possibly can in the face of the huge challenges that these gangs are presenting to ordinary law-abiding citizens. We saw gangs acting with impunity in the Regency Hotel. Every effort will be made in the weeks and months ahead on the prevention, investigation and prosecution levels.

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