Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of crimes committed by members of organised criminal gangs since he linked the incidence of such activity to the sting of a dying wasp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13374/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that as part of their contribution to the Europol Organised Crime Report, which was recently refined to become the Organised Crime Threat Assessment (OCTA), An Garda Síochána undertakes an annual assessment of organised crime in Ireland. The most recent assessment was completed in November 2006.

The analysis concludes that the nature of organised crime gangs continues to be the same as in previous years. There are two categories of organised crime groups operating in this jurisdiction. The first category consists of individuals/groups that are well established and tightly structured involved in drug trafficking, armed robbery and firearms offences. The second category involves groups whose activities are characterised by criminal activities which are mainly confined to Ireland.

However, because of the relatively fluid nature of those involved in serious/organised crime in Ireland, it is not possible to provide an accurate estimate as to those crimes committed by such groupings. An Garda Síochána will continue with intelligence-led operations against selected targets to combat the criminal activities of these groups.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of crimes including anti-social behaviour incidents reported to or through each Garda station in County Kildare in each of the past three years; the number of prosecutions and convictions that followed therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13375/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, I am pleased to note that the CSO is now compiling and publishing criminal statistics and has published provisional headline crime statistics for the third and fourth quarters of 2006. In addition, it has compiled and published a series of quarterly and annual statistics for the period starting with the first quarter of 2003. I understand that the CSO are examining how the crime statistics published might be expanded and made more comprehensive. I have requested the CSO to provide the information sought by the Deputy directly to him.