John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 117: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if in view of what appears to be a suspected gangland murder in Clondalkin, which is now the third such murder in the area, to date in 2007, he will meet urgently with the Garda Commissioner with a view to increasing the number of gardaí in both the Clondalkin and Ronanstown Garda Stations and the numbers of gardaí operating with other special units in and around Clondalkin. [10992/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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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 13,178 following the attestation of 273 new members on Wednesday 14 March, 2007. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) on 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 2,476 (or over 23%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The combined strength (all ranks), of both attested gardaí and recruits in training on 14 March 2007 was 14,258. Furthermore, on 19 December 2006, as part of a package of anti-crime measures, the Government approved the continuation of the existing Garda recruitment programme to achieve a total Garda strength of 15,000. The accelerated intake of approximately 1,100 new recruits per annum into the Garda College will continue until this target is met. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.4 billion, an 11% increase on 2006 and a 96% increase since 1997 in real terms.

I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength (all ranks) of Clondalkin and Ronanstown Garda Stations and the Dublin Metropolitan Region West Division on 31 December 1997 and on 20 March 2007 was as set out in the table.

Local Garda Management report that gardaí in the Clondalkin and Ronanstown sub-districts are assisted in policing these areas by marked patrol cars from the Lucan and Ballyfermot Districts, the District Detective Units, Divisional Crime Task Force Units and the Divisional Traffic Unit. The assistance of the Special Detective Unit, Emergency Response Unit, Operational Support Units, other National Units and the Criminal Assets Bureau are also availed of in the policing of the Clondalkin and Ronanstown areas.

Garda Management further report that initiatives under Operation "Anvil" are regularly put in place by local Garda Management in the Clondalkin and Ronanstown sub-districts, targeting specific locations and individuals. The operation is an intelligence-led policing initiative, the focus of which is the targeting of active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime by preventing and disrupting this criminal activity, through extensive additional overt patrolling, static checkpoints, by uniform mobile and foot patrols, supported by armed plain-clothes patrols.

Garda Management states that all killings, regardless of the circumstances involved are the subject of a rigorous investigation. The identification of the motive and the evidence available in its support are key elements of the investigation and prosecution process. Speculation as to the nature of the motive could serve to jeopardise successful investigation and prosecution of these serious crimes. Therefore, it is not possible to comment on those cases that may involve motives that accord with the media terms "drug related or gangland".

Local Garda Management also state that they are satisfied with the number of personnel allocated to Clondalkin and Ronanstown Garda Stations and will keep levels under review regularly in light of ongoing developments in these areas.

It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends and other operational policing needs. Such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed along with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy. This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible service is provided to the public.

I regularly meet with the Garda Commissioner regarding all policing matters in order to keep the measures and resources for tackling crime under continued review.