Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 781: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has given any specific instructions in regard to the methodology to be used to tackle organised crime; if he has sought from or given advice to any of his ministerial colleagues who might have a complementary function in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11229/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 783: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the new proposals to tackle the ever-growing problem of organised crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11231/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 781 and 783 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, police operations are a matter for the Garda Síochána. In the context of regular Government business and bilateral contacts, policy issues concerning the tackling of organised crime are discussed with my ministerial colleagues. A number of multidisciplinary and interdepartmental structures are in place which facilitate an integrated and co-ordinated approach to tackling and-or preventing serious and organised crime, e.g., the Criminal Assets Bureau, the institutional structures under the national drugs strategy and the money laundering contact steering committee chaired by the Department of Finance.

The establishment of specialist Garda units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the Garda National Drug Unit, operating under the assistant commissioner in charge of national support services, has enabled the Garda Síochána to tackle organised crime effectively.

Moreover, a broad range of strong legislation is available to the Garda Síochána to confront organised crime. Our criminal legislative framework reflects international developments to respond to the global growth of organised crime and specific measures enacted to meet our own domestic situation and is kept under continuous review.

The Deputy will be aware that the Criminal Justice Bill 2004 provides for a comprehensive package of anti-crime measures which will enhance the powers of the Garda in the investigation and prosecution of offences. In particular, the Deputy may wish to note that Part 3 of the Bill makes provision for the admissibility as evidence in court of statements by witnesses who subsequently refuse to testify or who retract their original statements. In addition, I am considering bringing forward a number of amendments to the Bill, including proposals to provide for criminal offences in relation to participation in a criminal organisation, to increase the sentences for firearms offences and to provide for better controls on firearms.

A further measure which will assist in tackling organised crime is the Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Act 2004 which came into effect on 1 October, 2004. The main purpose of the Act, which gives effect to an EU Council framework decision, is to provide for the setting up of joint investigation teams by mutual consent of member states of the EU for a specific purpose and limited period. The teams will carry out criminal investigations with a cross-border dimension in one or more of the member states setting up the team. The Act is a further example of the Government's commitment to taking measures to facilitate more effective co-operation in combating crime, particularly serious crime such as terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud and organised crime generally.

The Garda authorities assured me that combating organised crime will remain at the forefront of its operational activities and my Department will continue to review the situation to ensure that organised crime is tackled efficiently.