Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of firearms that were seized under the auspices of Operation Anvil in 2007 and to date in 2008; the number of arrests made under the auspices of Operation Anvil in 2007 and to date in 2008; the estimated value of property seized under the auspices of Operation Anvil in 2007 and to date in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15811/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), 256 firearms were seized or recovered in 2007 and 77 in 2008 up to 6 April. There were 6,289 arrests in 2007 and 1,863 in 2008 up to 6 April. It is estimated that property to the value of €10.1 million was recovered in 2007 and €2.2 million in 2008 up to 6 April. Outside the DMR, 309 firearms were seized in 2007 and 84 in 2008 up to 6 April. There were 10,638 arrests in 2007 and 2,851 in 2008 up to 6 April. All figures are operational and subject to change.

Outside the DMR, Operation Anvil is significantly different from the DMR, in that operations have a short time focus and are designed to address, in a flexible fashion, the particular needs of specific areas. Figures for the value of property recovered are not readily available and could be obtained only by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.