Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to take to put an end to the activities of criminal gangs and gang warfare, drive by shootings, racketeering, protection, intimation and intimation of witnesses, and such regular activities culminating in a reign of terror whereby people have become unsafe on the streets, in their homes or workplaces and even in prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30701/06]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 197: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the recent spate of gun crimes and other serious crimes; and the immediate proposals he has to deal with same. [30679/06]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 200: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action being taken to deal with the spate of gun murders over recent months on the north side of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30616/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 173, 197 and 200 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda management analyses available intelligence and selects targets involved in serious criminal activity, particularly gun-related crime. Intelligence-led operations against targets are used by Garda management to combat this type of criminal activity on an ongoing basis. This involves the strategic deployment of both local and specialised Garda operation units to counter such activities.

Operation Anvil has proved to be very successful in disrupting the criminal activities of a number of key criminal gangs. It has resulted in a number of high-profile arrests and the acquisition of intelligence on the movements of criminals. Notable improvements have been achieved in recorded crime in the target crime areas under the operation.

In addition to the introduction of Operation Anvil, the Commissioner in November 2005 augmented the Organised Crime Unit at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation with an additional 55 Garda members to address the problem of criminal gang activity. Enforcement by the Unit has resulted in further firearms being seized and a number of persons arrested, thereby disrupting their criminal activities.

This integrated approach adopts best practice in implementing a co-ordinated use of Garda resources and using available criminal legislation to its fullest extent. Operations are reviewed on a ongoing basis to ensure their effectiveness.

Local Garda management are satisfied that current resources available are sufficient, with local units being supplemented by personnel from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Organised Crime Unit, the Emergency Response Unit and the Special Detective Unit.

In addition I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,762 on Friday 8 September following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,060 (or 19%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.

I should add that the current recruitment drive to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, in line with the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year. The first three groups of newly attested Gardaí under this accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March, June and September of this year and the fourth such group will become fully attested members of the Force later this year. Further tranches of approximately 275 newly attested Gardaí will follow every 90 days thereafter until the programme is complete. The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources.