Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding crime prevention tactics dealing with gangland murders and the drugs issue. [18680/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The legislative package for tackling serious and organised crime, including drug trafficking, is recognised as one of the toughest available to the forces of law and order in Europe. We cannot rest on our laurels, however. We must strive to give the Garda Síochána the tools needed to counter the changing circumstances of crime which face them.

The Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is currently on Second Stage in the House, provides for a comprehensive package of anti-crime measures which will enhance the powers of the Garda in investigating and prosecuting offences. The measures include a general power of issuing search warrants, including a provision to allow a superintendent to issue an emergency warrant in certain circumstances, increased detention powers of up to 24 hours for arrestable offences and a statutory power to preserve a crime scene. Part 3 of the Bill makes provision for the admissibility as evidence in court of statements by witnesses who subsequently refuse to testify or retract their original statements. I am considering introducing a number of amendments to the Bill, including a proposal to provide for criminal offences in respect of participation in a criminal organisation. It is proposed to strengthen the provisions on the imposition of the ten-year mandatory minimum sentence for drug trafficking, to provide for new offences of supplying drugs to prisoners and to provide for a register of those convicted of drug trafficking offences.

Given the recent increase in violent crime involving firearms, there is an over-riding need to ensure that public safety and security are given priority in any review of policy and legislation on firearms. I have decided, therefore, to bring forward at an early stage certain proposals for inclusion in the Criminal Justice Bill. The Bill as published contains one such proposal, to provide for the secure custody of firearms. I am increasing the sentences for more serious firearms offences, including the possibility of mandatory minimum sentences in some cases, as well as new offences of illegally modifying a firearm, for example, sawing off a shotgun barrel, and the imposition of severe penalties for this offence.

Operation Anvil, which was launched in May of this year by the Garda, is one of the most intensive special policing operations ever undertaken in the State. It is intelligence-driven and aimed at those involved in gun crime of any kind in the Dublin metropolitan region. The operation involves divisional uniform and detective patrols throughout the region, backed up by national units. It also involves overt and covert operations, mobile and foot patrols, random checkpoints at specific locations, searches, execution of warrants and gathering and collating high-quality criminal intelligence.

A feature of the emerging gun culture is the apparent belief on the part of some criminals that they are not bound by or subject to the laws of the land. Operation Anvil is intended to supplement existing operations to ensure that lawlessness does not prevail, that the threat which the criminals pose is met sternly and effectively, and above all that human life is respected. The Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Act 2004, which was signed into law in June 2004, provides for the competent authorities of two or more member states by mutual agreement to establish teams to conduct criminal investigations with a cross-border dimension. The Act gives effect in Irish law to an agreement at European Union level which attempts to ensure that international boundaries are not used by criminal gangs to their advantage.

Operational matters and the investigation of crime are matters for the Garda. All incidents of murder, regardless of apparent motive, will be thoroughly and comprehensively investigated by gardaí and the perpetrators brought to justice.

The Government's overall drugs policy is set out in the national drugs strategy 2001-08. The strategy, which represents a comprehensive and integrated approach to tackling the problem, brings together all elements of drugs policy, including supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research. Each pillar of the strategy contains ambitious targets to be met over its lifetime. The strategy is the subject of a comprehensive mid-term review being carried out under the aegis of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The report of the review will be launched by the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, on 2 June 2005 at the Government's press office.

The Garda launched Operation Clean Street in December 1997 to target drug dealers operating at street level. The operation is co-ordinated by the Garda national drugs unit and is run in conjunction with local drug unit personnel. Operation Clean Street is in its tenth phase and operations have been conducted in 12 Garda divisions. Operation Nightcap was launched in December 1997 to target drug dealers operating in licensed premises. The creation of national Garda units, such as the Garda national drugs unit, enables gardaí to tackle the drugs issue in a proactive and targeted manner. Gardaí will continue to monitor the situation with a view to providing targeted operations in addition to day-to-day interventions which are the responsibility of all members of the force.