Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 2: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of murders in which firearms were used thus far in 2005; the way in which this compares with the same period for 2004; the progress made to date with regard to Operation Anvil announced by him on 17 May 2005; his views on the number of weapons seized to date; the number of arrests made; the number of charges preferred which have arisen thus far from the operation; the length of time the operation is intended to continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21641/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that from 1 January 2004 to 13 June 2004, six murders were recorded as being committed using a firearm. In the period from 1 January to 22 June 2005, nine murders were recorded as being committed using a firearm.

While I have repeatedly urged caution in the interpretation of statistics, particularly statistics covering comparatively short periods of time, it is worth noting that, of the nine murders involving firearms this year, one occurred in March, five in April, three in May and none in June to date. With one exception, the murders were committed in the Dublin area. I am satisfied that Operation Anvil is making a significant contribution to securing a reduction in this type of offence. I commend the Commissioner and the members of An Garda Síochána for the efficient and effective use of the resources made available to them.

Operation Anvil was initiated by the Garda Commissioner on 16 May. I provided details in respect of it to the House on 17 May. Its main focus is targeting active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime by preventing and disrupting criminal activity. It involves overt patrolling and static checkpoints by uniform mobile and foot patrols, supported by armed plain clothes patrols. In addition, intelligence led covert operations are undertaken, as are searches and continued gathering and collation of high quality criminal intelligence.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, since its inception, there have been 377 arrests and 76 firearms recovered. It is not possible to provide details pertaining to the number of charges preferred as a number of investigations, in respect of which investigation files will be submitted to the law officers for direction in due course, are ongoing.

As the Deputy is aware, the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is on Second Stage in the House, provides for a comprehensive package of anti-crime measures that will enhance the capacity of the Garda to investigate and prosecute offences. In that context, I will bring forward, on Committee Stage, a series of measures to increase sentences for the more serious range of firearm offences, including a mandatory minimum sentence in some cases. I will also introduce a new offence of illegally making a sawn-off shotgun.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that murders involving the use of firearms tend, for obvious reasons, to have lower conviction rates than other murders. This is not unique to Ireland; it is a pattern across the world. However, the number of violent deaths, both murder and manslaughter, recorded in 2004 was 45, the lowest number in ten years, despite the fact our population increased by 400,000 during that ten-year period.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Does the Minister agree that there have already been as many if not more deaths as a result of gangland killings in the first half of this year as occurred in nine of the past ten years? Does he consider that even with Operation Crossover, which was established in November 2004 and which lasted a few months, the situation for the first six months of this year is worse than that which obtained in any other year? It seems that once the blip of intensified Garda activity ended, the situation not only reverted to its previous state but appeared to get worse. Does the Minister agree that the €6.5 million being spent on Operation Anvil will end up having the same effect as the €4 million on Operation Crossover? Paying overtime is not the way to deal with gangland activity. What is required is a concerted plan, involving year-round effort, in order to achieve results.

Does the Minister agree that gangland killings are effectively the worst type of crime and attract the lowest detection rate? A hitman is almost assured that the last thing that will happen is that he will be detected, prosecuted, convicted and imprisoned. Until such time as the Minister puts forward specific proposals to deal with the problem, the situation can only become worse.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I do not agree with that. Ireland is one of the safest countries in the world. If one examines the figures I gave, the number of people who died last year as a result of homicides — involving either manslaughter and murder — was 45. That is one of the lowest figures in ten years, despite the fact that the population increased dramatically in that time. We must be clear on that.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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That is general homicide. My question relates to murder and firearms.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I share the Deputy's point of view on firearms to some extent but the figures to which he referred are not quite right. In 1998, for example, four murders involving firearms took place. That increased to 12 in 1999, stayed at 12 in 2000, decreased to nine in 2001, increased to ten in 2002, increased to 20 in 2003 and decreased to nine last year. This year the figure has already reached nine. It is not true to say that the situation has never been as bad as it is at present. There were four detections in respect of the ten murders committed in 2002, ten of the 20 murders in 2003 resulted in detections and in respect of the nine murders in 2004 there were six detections. It is not as black a picture in terms of detection as the Deputy suggests.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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How many convictions were there? There was one conviction in each of those years.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I agree with the Deputy that the phenomenon of paid——

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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What does detection mean?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The time for this question has concluded.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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——gunmen is extremely worrying. That is what Operation Anvil is all about. The Deputy asked if we should have bursts of activity such as that surrounding Operation Anvil or if we should we adopt a constant approach. I discussed this matter with the Garda Commissioner. His view is that special operations have merit. It is similar to playing a football match. One must say to the team at some stage that the next five minutes is crucial and that points must be scored. One cannot simply state that overtime has nothing to do with it. It does have something to do with it.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I have one brief supplementary question.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have gone two and a half minutes over time on this question.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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What happened to the amnesty the Minister proposed?

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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When we get the Criminal Justice Bill and the firearms provisions through, I will deal with the amnesty issue. The sooner we get the Criminal Justice Bill through the better.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister might set out the full list of proposals.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I would like to do that.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I requested it a few months ago. It is important.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I will write to the Deputies setting out everything that is planned in respect of that Bill.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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That is a good idea so we will not have the debacle that we do with the current Bill.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Minister and the Deputy cannot have a friendly chat.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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It is not exactly friendly.