Currently, the group is actively working towards fulfilling its terms of reference, which essentially require it, first, to examine the generation, compilation and presentation of crime data produced by the Garda Síochána and other organisations with criminal prosecution functions, and, second, to make recommendations on the necessary structures and resources to be provided to allow crime statistics to be analysed, so that emerging trends can be identified and appropriate policy formulated by Government. This is particularly important, as the Government is anxious to place policy making within the criminal justice system on a firm evidence-based foundation, with less tolerance for mere hunches or knee-jerk reactions.