Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made in the Garda investigation into two robberies of security vans in Dublin in March 2005 in which more than €4 million was taken; the total amount taken in raids on security vans during 2002, 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005; the number of such cases in which charges have been laid; if he is satisfied that the Garda have sufficient resources to deal with this plague of robberies and to bring those responsible to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16115/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that substantial progress is being made with the investigation into the crimes referred to by the Deputy, with searches being conducted by members of the Garda Síochána resulting in 26 persons being arrested and questioned. Firearm, drugs, cash and other property were seized during these searches. Two persons have been charged and are currently before the courts in relation to one of the robberies. The investigations are ongoing.

The readily available information regarding the total amount taken in raids on security vans and the number of such cases in which charges have been laid relates to 2004 and 2005 to date. With regard to 2004, I am informed that approximately €3.4 million was taken in raids on security vans. Six people are before the courts in relation to these raids. I am further informed that since the beginning of 2005 approximately €5 million has been taken in raids on security vans and that three people are before the courts charged in regard to these raids.

Operation Delivery was initiated in June 2004 in direct response to the increase in robberies of cash in transit in the Dublin area. Among the activities undertaken are: profiling and targeting of suspects; searching of premises associated with suspects; disruption of activities of suspects; surveillance of suspects; liaising with cash in transit companies; and intelligence gathering and analysis.

Operations have resulted in the arrest and charging of a number of suspects and the recovery of a number of firearms. The numbers of robberies of cash in transit have continued to decrease since the operation was established in June 2004. In the first three months of 2004 there were 12 robberies involving security vans, compared with nine in the first three months of this year.

I am assured by the Commissioner that the necessary resources are being directed towards the containment and detection of such serious criminal activity.