Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prosecutions pending in respect of members of organised crime gangs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33223/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members of known criminal gangs convicted in the past 12 months to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33225/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of known members of organised criminal gangs currently on bail on foot of one or more previous offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33226/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 to 186, inclusive, together.

I am informed that An Garda Síochána continues to actively pursue those suspected of engaging in criminal activities and to collect evidence against those suspected of having perpetrated crimes. When sufficient information is available a file is forwarded by the investigating officers to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. This office is of course independent and determines the most appropriate course of action to be taken in each case based on the individual circumstances relating to each case.

The nature of criminal gangs is such that they are not static in nature. Criminal associations may be formed in order to carry out particular crimes with those associations ending once specific crimes have been completed. As such it is not possible to permanently associate individuals with particular groups. The identification of offenders as a member of a criminal gang is not an essential criterion in the prosecution of offenders. Organised criminal gangs operating in this jurisdiction are being targeted on an ongoing basis and profiles regarding the personnel of such groups are continually updated.

An Garda Síochána utilises all available intelligence in the strategic deployment of both local and specialised operational Garda units to target particular gangs and to ensure that effective, intelligence-led policing initiatives are put in place at the most appropriate times to disrupt criminal activities to the maximum extent possible. Where an individual is brought before the Courts and the subject of bail is being considered, An Garda Síochána may oppose the granting of bail where there is a belief that the person concerned may not turn up for trial, interfere with potential witnesses or may engage in criminal activities while on bail. The Courts will take the opinion of the Gardaí into consideration when forming a final decision on whether to grant bail or not.

Organised Crime, including persons suspected of involvement in drug-trafficking, importation, sale and supply, is being targeted on a number of fronts, involving uniform and plain-clothes Gardaí overtly and covertly disrupting known criminals in the course of criminal activities. Members, their operating methods, criminal interests and financial assets are likewise proactively targeted and intelligence-led operations.

The Garda Commissioner's Policing Plan 2008 sets out strategic goals including 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.

Measures have been put in place to deal with serious crime. These include Operation Anvil, an intelligence-led operation which has been used to target specific individuals. This operation commenced in May 2005 in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and was extended country-wide in 2006. The primary focus of Operation 'Anvil' is the disruption of serious and organised criminal activity. In this regard Operation Anvil consists of intelligence-led targeted operations on the one hand and an increased overt visible Garda presence on the other. The Garda Commissioner has publicly re-affirmed his absolute commitment to the objectives of Operation 'Anvil', which is but one tool used by members of An Garda Síochána in endeavouring to combat crime.

Multi-agency approaches have been and continue to be used where all of the National Units from National Support Services i.e. National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Criminal Assets Bureau, Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (Money Laundering) and the Garda Technical Bureau, are used to combat serious crime. These Units are also supported by the Security and Intelligence Section who assist with intelligence briefings and timely information. The Emergency Response Unit has also been deployed in the areas where there is a propensity to use firearms.

I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána, through the coordinated activities of its specialist, national and local units maintains comprehensive information on the activities and associations of those believed to be involved in crime.