Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 532: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action being taken to combat the activities of organised criminal gangs in the counties adjoining Dublin; the extent to which protection, racketeering or money laundering is being combated; the extent to which drug barons have extended their empires into these areas; his proposals to increase Garda strength to combat such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9250/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that An Garda Síochána, (in accordance with the priorities determined by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform pursuant to Section 20 of the Garda Síochana Act, 2005/07) is committed to targeting organised criminal groups engaged in serious crime and those who facilitate the activities of these groupings.

The Garda Siochana Policing Plan 2008 sets out strategic goals which include inter alia a commitment to significantly reduce the impact of crime and criminal behaviour. These goals are backed up by strategic actions which include a commitment to continue and intensify intelligence-led operations against groups and individuals engaged in the trafficking of illegal drugs, guns and immigrants into and within the State. Witness intimidation and the laundering of money are integral parts of these Organised Criminal Groups activities and will be targeted as part of the overall strategy against these groups.

Where information comes into the possession of An Garda Síochána indicating the involvement of criminals in the type of activity suggested it is subject to thorough investigation. 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. 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.

An Garda Síochána utilises intelligence-led operations to target organised crime gangs. All available intelligence is fully analysed and used in the strategic deployment of both local and specialised operational Garda units to target particular groups. Organised Crime is being targeted on a number of fronts, involving Gardaí overtly and covertly disrupting known criminals in the course of criminal activities. Specialist units from National Support Services are also assisting in these operations and deal with the different aspects of this type of criminal activity. A number of organised crime groups have been targeted in this manner recently with firearms recovered and drugs seized resulting in a number of people, from these organised groups, being prosecuted and convicted before the Courts.

In November 2005 the Organised Crime Unit at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation was set up to combat Organised Crime and in particular armed criminal groups. This Unit now comprises of 70 members working proactively targeting the various criminal groups throughout the city. In January of this year the Commissioner announced the establishment of this unit on permanent basis. At present an evaluation of the unit structure and its remit is being undertaken.

The Unit will continue to work closely with other specialist units, including the Garda National Drugs Unit and the Special Detective Unit / Emergency Response Unit, in targeting those suspected of involvement in organised criminal activity. The Organised Crime Unit has identified and profiled suspects associated with the main criminal groups. Where there is evidence of this type of criminal activity the matter is fully investigated and an Investigation File is submitted to the Law Officers.

Operation 'Anvil' commenced in the Dublin Metropolitan Region in 2005 and was expanded regionally during 2006. It 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 their criminal activity, through extensive additional overt patrolling, static checkpoints, by uniform mobile and foot patrols, supported by armed plain-clothes patrols, in conjunction with other, covert, operations.

The National Bureau of Criminal Investigation is also closely involved in Operation 'Anvil', particularly within the DMR. This operation has also successfully targeted a number of criminal gangs involved in gun crime. The Criminal Assets Bureau is being actively utilised to identify and target assets accumulated by criminals, in order to seize such assets and to deprive the criminals of the profits of their criminal activity. The Garda National Drugs Unit liaises closely with the Criminal Assets Bureau to target those criminals and criminal groupings believed to be deriving profits and assets from drug-related criminal activity.

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 an ongoing basis to ensure their effectiveness.