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

I thank Senators for their comments and for their support. I reassure the House that An Garda Síochána will continue to bear down heavily on the activities of those involved, with particular emphasis on the linked areas of organised, gun and drug related crime. None of us, as public representatives, can be blind to the pernicious impact that organised crime, especially the drugs trade, has on communities throughout the State. I thank Senators for their support for the legislation.

Homicide rates and related gun crime continue to be monitored very closely by An Garda Síochána, with a view to putting in place appropriate initiatives and operations to target this type of crime and criminality. Operations are ongoing to tackle and dismantle serious and organised crime. These investigations continue to be progressed actively under the daily supervision of local and national Garda management. The decision I took as Minister for Justice and Equality recently to increase recruitment to An Garda Síochána to approximately 550, with 250 new recruits starting in the next few months, will help, as will the investment of additional resources, for example, the sum of €27 million for new Garda vehicles. These additional resources will assist An Garda Síochána in dealing effectively with criminal gangs and organised crime.