Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 709: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the 23 fatal shootings that have occurred since Ireland was declared officially safe by European standards a year ago; if it is proposed to strengthen the firearms laws to deal with the escalating rate of armed murders; if additional full-time gardaí will be recruited towards this objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11116/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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In order to ensure public safety and security, I propose to introduce a wide range of amendments to the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2000 in the context of the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is before the Dáil.

Included in these new proposals will be measures which will create mandatory minimum sentences, of between five and ten years, for certain firearms offences, including possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances, possession of a firearm with criminal intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, possession of a firearm while hijacking a vehicle and use or production of a firearm to resist arrest. Provision will be made to require all persons, wishing to hold a firearm legally, to satisfy the Garda that they have provided secure accommodation for the firearm. The Minister will be allowed to deem certain firearms as "restricted" by reference to specific criteria, including the calibre, action type and muzzle energy of the firearm. In future, any person wishing to obtain a certificate for such a firearm will need to apply directly to the Garda Commissioner. New offences will be introduced concerning the modification of firearms such as "sawing off" a shotgun. It is proposed to increase fines and penalties generally for offences under the Firearms Acts.

I also intend to introduce a statutory basis for an amnesty during which firearms may be surrendered to the Garda Síochána before new penalties, and minimum mandatory sentences, are introduced. This will enable those in possession of firearms, who are not in compliance with the legal requirements, to regularise their position, and thus enable the Garda Síochána to concentrate on more serious offenders.

Every effort is made by the Garda Síochána to combat the illegal importation, sale and possession of firearms through intelligence-led operations and activities. Operation Anvil, launched in May last year and aimed at those involved in gun crime of any kind, is one of the most intensive special policing operations ever undertaken in the State. It is intelligence-driven and has significant levels of Garda resources. The Garda Síochána is receiving resources this year to continue Operation Anvil as long as it is deemed necessary in operational policing terms and I have asked the Commissioner to extend it to Garda divisions outside Dublin.

Operation Anvil contributed to the increase of 16% in the detection of possession of firearms in 2005. Up to 19 February 2006, Operation Anvil resulted in more than 1,600 arrests, including 23 for murder, more than 13,200 searches, including 360 searches for firearms that resulted in 359 firearms seized or recovered, and the recovery of property with a value of €5.7 million.

The Garda Síochána this year has the highest level of resources in its history —€1,290 million, an increase of €146 million, 13%, on 2005. The provision for Garda overtime in 2006 is €83.5 million — an increase of €23 million on the allocation for 2005. This increase will greatly assist the planned deployment of a visible policing service in a flexible, effective and targeted response to criminal activity and to crime prevention, including gun crimes. The €83.5 million in overtime will yield 2.725 million extra hours of policing by uniformed and special units throughout the State.

I take great satisfaction in the Government's decision of October 2004 to approve the recruitment of 2,000 additional gardaí to increase the strength of the force to 14,000. As a result there will be a combined organisational strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year. I have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties but will be put directly into front-line, operational, high-visibility policing.