Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to combat organised crime in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7767/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that tackling organised crime remains one of my highest priorities. The Commissioner's Policing Plan 2009 sets out strategic goals inter alia a commitment to reduce the impact of crime and criminal behaviour. An Garda Síochána, in accordance with the priorities determined by me pursuant to Section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005/2007 is committed to targeting violent crime and those who engage in or facilitate such activity.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that there are two categories of organised crime groups operating in this jurisdiction. The first category consists of groups that are well established and tightly structured and are involved in drug trafficking, armed robbery and firearms offences. The second category involves groups whose activities are characterised by less cohesive group structures and whose criminal activities are mainly confined to Ireland. The membership of organised crime gangs tends to be fluid and the nature of criminal activity is such that offences committed by members of gangs may or may not be connected with the individual's membership of such gangs.

An Garda Síochána undertakes a number of multi-agency activities designed to target and disrupt the operations of criminal organisations. Intelligence-led operations are used by Gardai to target organised crime groups on an ongoing basis. A significant element of the fight against organised crime by An Garda Síochána employs the use of specialist units. Units with expertise in specific areas operate under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner in charge of the National Support Services and this senior Garda officer has overall responsibility for the co-ordination of measures designed to address organised crime throughout the State. Specialist units include:

The Criminal Assets Bureau which identifies and targets funds accumulated by criminals in order to seize such assets and deprive them of the profits of their criminal activity.

The Organised Crime Unit which has a specific remit of targeting those suspected of involvement in organised crime, including the trafficking, importation, sale and supply of drugs.

The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation which is responsible for the investigation of individuals and organisations involved in Money Laundering.

The National Bureau of Criminal Investigation which is responsible for investigating the activities of organised criminal networks.

These units are also supported by the Security and Intelligence Section which assists with the provision of intelligence briefings and timely information.

Other measures put in place to tackle serious crime include Operation Anvil which commenced in May 2005 in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, and was extended nationwide in 2006. The primary focus of this operation is the disruption of serious and organised criminal activity. This has resulted in approximately 1,240 firearms being recovered in Dublin and 1,090 in the rest of the country (to 11 February 2009). In addition, the value of property recovered under this Operation to date is approximately €31 million. Funding for Operation Anvil will increase in 2009 from €20 million to €21 million to enable it to continue with the targeted disruption of serious and organised criminal activity.

In addition to the above, An Garda Síochána maintains close liaison with other law enforcement agencies throughout Europe, and elsewhere, exchanging information and intelligence. An Garda Síochána currently has a number of liaison officers on secondment to other jurisdictions and to international bodies such as Interpol and Europol. These officers act as a conduit for information to pass between law enforcement agencies to ensure that national borders are not, and cannot, be used by criminals as a means of frustrating the efforts of law enforcement agencies. Senior management in An Garda Síochána are keeping the situation under review to ensure an effective law enforcement response remains in place to tackle organised crime.