Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 779: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to expand the Criminal Assets Bureau operational presence in each Garda division with the introduction of additional criminal assets profilers and CAB liaison officers in each Garda division with appropriate training and links into the urban CAB success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28634/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to the issue of the Criminal Asset Bureau's work at regional and local levels, I can inform the Deputy that in order to maximise the benefit that can be derived from local knowledge, officers from the Criminal Assets Bureau work closely with Gardaí from specific regions and localities in order to ensure that the efforts of the Bureau are targeted in the most effective manner possible.

As you may also know the Government's policing priorities for 2008 for An Garda Síochána include a specific reference to enhanced liaison arrangements between Garda Divisions and the Criminal Assets Bureau in the pursuit of those engaged in drug dealing at all levels.

The Bureau will continue to utilise the services of Divisional criminal assets profilers throughout the country and profilers are now in place in all Garda Divisions across the country.

At present eighty one Garda divisional profilers have been appointed and are operational and the complement of Divisional profilers will continue to be monitored and reviewed on an on-going basis. In addition, eleven officials from the Revenue Commissioners have been trained as asset profilers.

The use of local Garda officers in this way ensures that preparatory groundwork can be carried out in advance of a full investigation by the Bureau. Asset profilers have at all times recourse to the expertise and advice of the Bureau.

Essentially a key function of these profilers is to ascertain and build up information at local level and point out individuals at whom the Bureau's work can be targeted. Such information is then investigated and followed up further by the Criminal Assets Bureau.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 780: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to require all mobile phones to be registered with name, address and proof of identity in order to stop drug-pushers using untraceable, unregistered phones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28635/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Insofar as my Department has responsibility in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputy, consultations are taking place with An Garda Síochána with a view to progressing this matter.