Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 49: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Operation Anvil, announced by him on 17 May 2005 remains in operation; the number of weapons seized to date, the number of arrests made, the number of charges preferred, arising to date from the operation; the length of time the operation is intended to continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15641/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Operation Anvil commenced in the Dublin metropolitan region on 17 May, 2005 with a view to addressing the problem of serious crime, such as gun crime, robberies and burglaries and combating an emerging gun culture. At my request, Operation Anvil is being extended outside the Dublin metropolitan region during 2006. I have also obtained funding to enable Operation Anvil to continue as long as it is deemed necessary in operational policing terms.

Operation Anvil has contributed to encouraging successes across a number of headings. As of 23 April this year, 505 firearms have been seized or recovered and 2,314 arrests have been made. Information on the number of charges preferred is not readily available but I will revert to the Deputy when it is to hand.