Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 576: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there has been a reduction of the activities of Operation Anvil in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11844/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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One of the priorities I have set for An Garda Síochána in 2009 is to target serious crime, in particular organised, gun and drug related crime. This is being done through a range of measures, including the use of Garda specialist units and targeted operations such as Operation Anvil.

Operation Anvil commenced in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, including the area referred to by the Deputy, in 2005 to deal with this type of serious crime and was extended nationwide in 2006. The primary focus of the Operation is the targeting of active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime by preventing and disrupting their criminal activity through extensive additional overt patrolling and static checkpoints by uniform, mobile and foot patrols, supported by armed plain clothes patrols. Significant resources will continue to be allocated to the Operation. Following the ringfencing of €20 million for it in 2008, €21 million is being ringfenced in 2009.

I am informed by Garda authorities that local Garda management is satisfied that there is no reduction in Garda operations and policing responses under Operation Anvil in the area referred to by the Deputy.