Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 522: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which information and co-operation is available to An Garda Síochána from other police forces throughout European or worldwide with a view to bringing to justice Irish criminals domiciled at various exotic locations overseas; if he has initiated discussions in this regard with his EU colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9240/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 524: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if An Garda Síochána are receiving full co-operation from the various police forces throughout Europe with particular reference to tracking criminals on the run; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9242/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 524 together.

I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that organised criminal gangs operating in this jurisdiction are being targeted on an ongoing basis and profiles of the personnel in such groups are continually updated. Their members, operating methods, criminal interests and financial assets are likewise proactively targeted and a Garda response embraces intelligence-led operations primarily undertaken by An Garda Siochana specialised units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Drug Unit, the Organised Crime Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau. In addition information relating to these groupings is disseminated on a regular basis to Europol at The Hague.

An Garda Síochána maintains liaison with other law enforcement agencies throughout Europe, and elsewhere, exchanging information and intelligence on Irish criminals living abroad. This ongoing liaison has led to a number of successful joint operations, targeting attempted importations of drugs and firearms, resulting in a number of significant arrests here and in other Jurisdictions. Where intelligence, supported by evidence, is available, law enforcement agencies in other Jurisdictions put operations in place, as appropriate, to prevent and detect such criminality. To facilitate cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, An Garda Síochána has posted Liaison Officers to a number of centres throughout Europe.

Where information exists that a person who is wanted in relation to a particular crime in this jurisdiction is living abroad, and where the particular legal requirements apply, extradition is sought or application is made for a European Arrest Warrant.

Where there is justification and a legal basis, those suspected of involvement in criminal activity are arrested, detained and questioned in relation to specific crime. A member of An Garda Síochána must, at all times, have reasonable grounds to believe that an individual has been involved in criminal activity before they can arrest and question any person in relation to criminality.

Ireland is a party to various International Conventions which provide for assistance in criminal matters between jurisdictions. An Garda Síochána send and receive requests for assistance via the Central Authority for Mutual Assistance at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Requests for Assistance may also be dealt with on the basis of reciprocity where certain jurisdictions may not be a party to specific conventions.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 523: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Irish criminals wanted by An Garda Síochána on foot of various crimes but who are overseas and who appear to be beyond justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9241/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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It is difficult to assess the number of those suspected of involvement in criminal activity living overseas particularly as there is free movement of persons within the European Union. Where information exists that a person, who is wanted in relation to a particular crime in this jurisdiction, is living abroad and where the particular legal requirements apply, surrender of the person from the relevant Member State of the European Union or extradition from the relevant country are sought in accordance with the provisions of the European Arrest Warrant 2003 as amended or Part II of the Extradition Act 1965 as amended.

Currently there are 63 active requests for surrender in accordance with the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 as amended. Since the coming into operation of this Act on 1 January 2004, 63 persons have been surrendered to Ireland on foot of outgoing European Arrest Warrants.

There are also 4 ongoing extradition requests in accordance with Part II of the Extradition Act 1965 as amended. In addition to the above there are 8 outstanding extradition requests to the United Kingdom under Part III of the Extradition Act 1965 as amended. Part III of the Extradition Act 1965 as amended has been repealed and there have been no Part III requests to the United Kingdom since 2003.