Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which he will take action against criminal gang bosses living overseas and continuing to organise their criminal empires and enjoy their ill-gotten gains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14089/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Authorities that organised criminal gangs operating in this jurisdiction are being targeted on an ongoing basis. The profiles of those suspected of involvement in criminal gangs are continually updated. The membership of criminal gangs, their operating methods, criminal interests and financial assets are likewise proactively targeted. The Garda response to this problem comprises of intelligence-led operations which are primarily undertaken by 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 crimes. 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