Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which it is intended to tackle the increasing level of gun crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22229/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of reported gun crimes including killings in each of the past five years; the extent to which successful prosecutions have followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22234/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 191 together.

There is a particular overriding necessity, in view of the recent increase in violent crime involving firearms, to ensure that public safety and security concerns are given priority in any review of policy and legislation in relation to firearms. With this in mind I have brought forward a wide range of amendments to the Firearms Acts 1925-2000 in the context of the Criminal Justice Bill, 2004, which is currently before the Dáil.

Included in these new proposals are 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; require all persons, wishing to legally hold a firearm, to satisfy the Gardaí that they have provided secure accommodation for the firearm; and allow the Minister 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 have to apply directly to the Garda Commissioner. The legislation will introduce new offences concerning the modification of firearms such as "sawing-off" a shotgun; and 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.

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 deployed significant levels of Garda resources. The Garda Síochána are receiving resources this year to continue Operation Anvil and the Commissioner has recently extended the Operation to Garda Divisions outside Dublin.

In November, 2005 an additional 50 personnel from the uniform service in DMR were transferred to the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations. The Garda Síochána this year has the highest level of resources in its history — €1,290 million — an increase of €146 million or 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 and 14,000 attested Gardaí in two years' time. One thing I have already promised is that the additional Gardaí will not be put on administrative duties but will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing.

I can assure the deputy that I am in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner in order to keep the measures and resources for tackling serious crime under continuing review. I have requested details from the Garda authorities on headline crimes recorded, detected and convictions where a firearm was used from 2001 to 2005. These details are set out in the table below: