Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of occasions in 2007 and to date in 2008 in which grenades, bombs or improvised explosive devices have been used; the number of occasions in each year when the Garda called on the assistance of the Army ordinance unit to deal with such devices; the number of prosecutions initiated as a result of the discovery or such devices; his views on the increased use of such devices by criminal elements; the steps being taken to curb the use of such devices, particularly having regard to the danger they pose the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46753/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he has taken or proposes to take to identify the strategy behind the increase in the number of explosive devices which have had to be disarmed in recent times; the number of such viable devices rendered harmless in the past 12 months; if he anticipates increased criminal activity with such weaponry playing a major role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47635/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 241 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2008 (up to 1 December) there were 98 incidents involving grenades or pipe-bombs or other improvised explosive devices in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. A Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Device team attended at 73 of these. In 2007 there were 24 such incidents and an Explosive Ordnance Device team attended at 17 of these.

The House will appreciate that it would not be helpful for me to comment on the specific details of Garda operations in this regard. However, investigations are carried out by the Garda Síochána into all such incidents. The Garda Síochána is firmly focused on disrupting such activities, detecting the criminal elements involved and bringing them before the courts.