Dáil debates

Wednesday, 22 April 2009

2:30 pm

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he is taking to bring an end to organised crime and gangland culture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14601/09]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Tackling organised and gangland crime remains my primary concern. Significant efforts and resources are already being directed on an ongoing basis in tackling organised crime and gangland culture. The State will be relentless in its approach in bringing those involved in such activities to justice.

An Garda Síochána already co-ordinates a wide range of multi-agency activities to disrupt and dismantle the operations of criminal gangs. It is only fair to recognise and acknowledge it is having considerable success in this regard. Intelligence-led operations are used by the Garda to target organised crime groups by utilising specialist units including the Criminal Assets Bureau, the organised crime unit and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Targeted intelligence-led operations, such as Operation Anvil, continue to result in significant seizures of firearms and property related to criminal activity and have led to the arrests and prosecutions of those involved. In terms of Garda resources, at a time when public finances are under extreme pressure, I have ensured that in the justice, equality and law reform area, top priority will continue to be given to front line policing activities. For example, funding for Operation Anvil has increased in 2009 from €20 million to €21 million while that for the Criminal Assets Bureau has increased by €1.5 million.

The reprehensible killing of a person in Limerick recently can be seen as a clear attempt by organised criminal gangs to undermine the criminal justice system. This demands a response from the State. The Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill, published last week, will enable material obtained by means of covert surveillance to be used as evidence to support or strengthen prosecutions. I hope the legislation will come before the House in the coming week or so. In addition to this legislation, I am currently working on a range of other legislative measures to combat criminal gangs. The proposals being considered include provisions similar to those previously introduced against subversive organisations.

Finally, I reiterate that the Government attaches the highest priority to tackling organised and gangland crime and will spare no efforts in tackling those involved in such activities head on.

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. I am conscious of the fact he has introduced new legislation which will be supported by my party, Fine Gael, as stated on numerous occasions.

Does the Minister agree that organised and gangland crime results from the illegal drug activities in this country and in particular, the importation of drugs? What is the Minister's view on the issue by the Department of Transport of an international haulage licence to a convicted drug dealer? Since the occurrence of this event in September 2008, what actions has the Minister taken first, to have consultations and discussions on the matter with his colleague the Minister for Transport, and, second, to have consultations and discussions with the Garda Commissioner?

Has the Minister expressed concern on the matter? If so, what action does he propose to take in order to allay the very serious public concern and to deal with the mixed message from his Department? On the weekend that he issues a raft of new legislation which he suggests will tackle gangland crime, we have the situation of a known and convicted drug trafficker against whom very serious charges were dropped, which will later be the subject matter of a question from my colleague, Deputy Rabbitte. What action is the Minister taking on this issue?

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It is true to say that illegal drugs and their importation is a very large component of the issue of gangland crime in this country. To be fair, there is a question in regard to the related issue to which the Deputy refers.

With regard to the drugs issue generally, there is a special national drugs unit, comprising 60 gardaí of all ranks at headquarters, and across the country there are divisional drugs units with approximately 350 members who are specifically dedicated to the fight against drugs. They work in conjunction with the Customs and Excise Service and the Naval Service in regard to the importation of illegal drugs. Given the fact we have extended the surveillance legislation to the Defence Forces and the Revenue Commissioners as well as the Customs and Excise Service, on many occasions there is a crossover between those three agencies in the fight against drugs. The surveillance legislation will be of great benefit.

With regard to the issue raised by the Deputy, it is only fair to point out that this will be answered in response to a later question. I understand in regard to this issue generally that there is a private notice question for the Minister for Transport in regard to the granting of the licence in that case.

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Minister may not be aware but that question will not be taken this afternoon. On the specific matter as raised, what action does he propose to take to allay widespread fears of a cover-up in this matter? When are the facts of this case to be laid bare? Could he, as Minister for Justice-----

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I would prefer if the Minister would deal with that when the specific question is reached. It is germane to the Deputy's question.

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Where is the specific question on the issue of the international haulage licence to a convicted drug dealer? There is none. We are dealing here with gangland crime. We are dealing with my question to the Minister regarding his intentions in terms of dealing with the issue of gangland crime.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy should put the question.

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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As I said at the outset, gangland crime and drugs are inextricably linked. We would not have gangland crime if we did not have drugs. The mixed messages being sent by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in this case are only adding to the fear of a cover-up because certain aspects of this case stink. It is very important that the Minister ensures we know the facts of the case and who is protecting this man.

I ask the Minister to use his influence in this regard. As the Minister with special responsibility for crime and security in the State, I ask him to ask the Minister for Transport to revoke all licences that issued to convicted drug dealers that allow them to engage in international haulage contracting.

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am somewhat reluctant to deal with the matter in response to this question because to be fair to Deputy Rabbitte he has tabled a priority question specifically on that issue. When this issue first arose in the media, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, which we established as an independent agency, set up a public interest inquiry under section 102 of the 2005 Act that we passed. Section 67 of the 2005 Act is explicit that the investigation of these issues by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is totally independent of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Garda Síochána and this House. When the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission decides to have a public interest inquiry it is best to leave it to it so that we do not prejudice anything. Of course people are concerned - I accept that. The Minister for Transport has already indicated his concern in this regard. I have confirmed with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission today through the Garda Commissioner and people in my Department that the granting of the licence will be part of its examination.

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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That is important.

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I know that political charges have been made in this House. Neither my Department nor I had any hand, act or part in the granting of any of these licences, which is purely a matter for the Department of Transport liaising with the Garda Síochána.