Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made with regard to the Garda investigation into the major money laundering operation uncovered earlier in 2005; if a file has yet been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21464/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda investigation remains ongoing. When the investigation is completed, a file will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

I am further informed that Garda personnel from the southern Garda region, Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and Criminal Assets Bureau are involved in the investigation, and liaison is also ongoing with the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

As the Garda investigation remains ongoing, I do not consider that further detailed comment on the matter would be appropriate.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 62: 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 during March 2005 in which more than €4 million was taken; the 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 gardaí 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. [21453/05]

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 before the courts on related charges. Further charges are currently being contemplated. Local gardaí are liaising with specialist units from national support services in these investigations, which are ongoing.

Significant reductions have been noted in the number of robberies from security vans since the commencement of Operation Delivery. Operation Delivery was initiated in June 2004 in direct response to the increase in robberies of cash in transit in the Dublin area to counter the increase in this type of crime. Among the activities undertaken are: the profiling and targeting of suspects; the searching of premises associated with suspects; the disruption of activities of suspects; the surveillance of suspects; liaising with cash in transit companies; and intelligence gathering and analysis.

On 16 May the Commissioner initiated Operation Anvil, a special intelligence-led operation within the Dublin metropolitan region with additional resources made available to him. The primary focus of this operation is the deployment of increased Garda resources to prevent and detect serious crime, especially where firearms are involved. To date, as a result of the operation 377 arrests have been made and 76 firearms recovered.

I wish to advise the Deputy that it has not been possible to compile the statistical information requested in the timeframe allowed. I will arrange for the information to be forwarded directly to the Deputy at the earliest possible opportunity.

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