Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 2: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the upsurge in the number of gun murders in recent months; the number of gun murders recorded to date in 2006; the way this compares to the same period for 2005; the steps being taken to deal with these crimes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42071/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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There have been 20 murders with firearms since the beginning of this year to 6 December. There were 19 murders with firearms recorded for the same period in 2005. While any level of murder, by a firearm or otherwise, is unacceptable, it is incorrect to state there has been an upsurge in firearms murders this year. Sadly, it is roughly the same as it was last year.

Operation Anvil is central to the strategy of the Garda Síochána in combating serious crime and, in particular, murder. The operation which commenced in the Dublin metropolitan region in May 2005 and was subsequently extended nationwide at my request has proved to be very successful in disrupting the criminal activities of a number of key criminal gangs. It has resulted in a number of high profile arrests and the acquisition of intelligence on the movements of criminals. Notable improvements have been achieved in the recorded number of incidents of crime being targeted by the operation. I am pleased to note that the number of offences of discharging a firearm was stable in the third quarter of this year, the most recent full quarter. Operation Anvil has contributed significantly to this and also to the increase in that quarter in the number of detections of offences of possession of drugs for sale or supply and of cultivation, manufacture or importation of drugs, which are clearly associated with many murders using firearms.

The most recent figures available indicate that since the introduction of Operation Anvil, 549 firearms have been seized in the Dublin metropolitan region. Up to 19 November, Operation Anvil resulted in more than 3,350 arrests for the serious crimes of murder, robbery, burglary and serious assaults, including 56 arrests in connection with murder, in the Dublin metropolitan region. Outside the Dublin metropolitan region, up to 1 November, 2,600 persons had been arrested and 238 firearms seized. It is not, therefore, a question of nothing happening.

In November 2005 the Garda Commissioner augmented the organised crime unit at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation with an additional 55 gardaí to address the problem of criminal gang activity. Enforcement by the unit has resulted in further firearms being seized and a number of persons being arrested, thereby disrupting criminal plans. There has also been an increase in Garda monitoring and targeting of individuals and groups involved in armed crime, in particular.

Following the completion of the weapons amnesty on 31 October, the mandatory minimum sentences for possession of firearms came into effect on 1 November.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

The penalties available to the courts have now been greatly strengthened and stringent penalties apply.

I am very satisfied with the outcome of the 2007 Estimates process. The allocation for the Garda Vote is increasing by €135.3 million to €1.445 billion, an increase of 10% on the figure for 2006. This year's budget, in turn, represented an increase of 13% on that for 2005 and an increase of 85% in real terms since 1997. The additional overtime allocation included will yield almost 3 million extra man hours of policing by uniformed and special units throughout the State. As a result, innovative and targeted anti-crime strategies and operations such as Operation Anvil will be continued and intensified on a nationwide basis. This budgetary increase demonstrates the Government is continuing to provide record resources for anti-crime strategies.

The Government is also committed to increasing the strength of the Garda Síochána. I am informed that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 on 16 November, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 on 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 21.5%, or 2,298 in the personnel strength of the force in the period since. The induction of 280 new Garda recruits to the Garda College on 6 November resulted in a combined strength of both attested gardaí and recruits in training of 14,137. Next year will see more than 275 fully trained gardaí graduating from the Garda College every quarter, allowing the Commissioner to focus a highly visible policing presence throughout the country.

I stress that all killings, regardless of the background of the victim or the method of killing, are the subject of a rigorous investigation by the Garda authorities.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The opening part of the Minister's response indicates complacency towards what anybody outside the House would regard as an upsurge. The Minister has indicated that last year's figure for gun murders was the worst on record and to say there has been no upsurge is not a satisfactory reply. I last asked this question on 9 November, by which stage there had been 16 gun murders in the State this year. Less than one month on there have been four more in Limerick, Ballybough, Swords and Drogheda. The number of one per week, giving an annualised rate of 52 for a full year, represents an upsurge in any man's language.

Will the Minister accept that the most depressing facet of all is the murder detection rate? The last time I asked for figures last year was indicated as having the poorest detection and prosecution rates ever for this type of crime. Of the 21 gun murder cases last year, only four were regarded as having been detected. Perhaps the Minister has updated figures. Proceedings had commenced in only two of the 21 murder cases.

With only a few weeks left this year we have already reached a figure of 20 gun murders, with an additional four murders in the past four weeks. Although I salute the Garda for Operation Anvil, does the Minister accept that there is a new criminal gangland culture that needs a different approach? The targeting and monitoring indicated by him must be greatly increased to ensure these thugs who are seen to act with impunity and with no regard for human life will be taken off the streets.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I agree that there is a new and growing phenomenon of criminal gangs committing murder for a variety of purposes. There is no complacency on my part. I have been in regular contact with the Commissioner, assuring him all resources possible. I have strengthened the law and made available vast sums for overtime for surveillance operations, etc. I will carry out any action I am asked to carry out. There is no lack of commitment on my part in tackling this issue.

Sometimes we have short memories. Last year and this year have been bad but there has been no dramatic difference between the two.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is not good that we will equal or exceed the figure for the worst year on record.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am not implying that but there has not been a dramatic upsurge. The Deputy referred to four shootings in Limerick, Ballybough, Swords and Drogheda. My best information is that there were a variety of motives behind the offences. Two were quasi-domestic, to use a terrible phrase, while two appear to be drug-related. It is frightening that the people engaged in drug killings now seem to feel they have a right to sort out domestic or quasi-domestic disputes by using firearms.

The resources allocated to the Garda Síochána have been increased by 10% on the figure for last year. The amount allocated for overtime, which is very important in terms of surveillance and search operations, has also been increased substantially; it is up by 13% on the figure for 2005 and 85% in real terms since 1997.

The strengthening of the numbers in the Garda Síochána is proceeding apace. The fully attested strength of the force reached 13,000 on 16 November, compared with a figure of 10,702 on 30 June 1997. This represents an increase of 2,298 members.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister might deal with detection rates.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am making the point that resources are available. I do not want to hog the time available but a problem with detection rates is that there is a culture of omerta, even among victims.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is a culture of terror.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am sorry to inform the House that in one case an individual was shot from behind in a motor car by somebody who was known to the person concerned. The bullet went through the back of the man's head, came out through his mouth under his nose. He survived but despite his ordeal, he would not co-operate in any way with the Garda Síochána in identifying the perpetrator.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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He was terrified out of his life, no doubt.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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It is not just a matter of the man being terrorised. There is also a code of omerta among the people concerned. They will not supply information to the Garda Síochána. We are proceeding with other issues and intensifying the effort to put proper DNA and forensic analysis facilities in place in the force.

It is astonishing to be faced with a case in which a person will not co-operate having been shot in the back of the head by somebody known to the person concerned and the Garda indicates that the perpetrator merely has to be pointed out.