Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of organised criminal gangs currently operating here; the regions or areas in which they are most dominant; the number of charges, arrests and convictions brought against them in each area in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21805/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members of known criminal gangs currently in prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21808/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 163 together.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that currently there are two categories of organised crime groups operating in this jurisdiction. The first category consists of individuals / groups that are well established and tightly structured involved in drug trafficking, armed robbery and firearms offences. The second category involves groups whose activities are characterised by less cohesive group structures and criminal activities which are mainly confined to Ireland.

I am further advised that 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.

The identification of an offender as a member of a criminal gang is not an essential criterion in the prosecution of offenders. It is therefore not possible to ascertain the precise number of criminals who are also members of criminal gangs operating in this country. Organised crime is being targeted by An Garda Síochána on an ongoing basis using intelligence led operations undertaken by specialist units under the remit of the Assistant Commissioner in charge of National Support Services. These specialist units include, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Organised Crime Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau.

A number of organised crime groups have been targeted using intelligence led operations which has resulted in the seizure of firearms and drugs and has led to a number of people being prosecuted and convicted before the courts.

Other measures put in place to tackle serious crime include Operation Anvil which commended in the Dublin Metropolitan region in May 2005 and extended nationwide in 2006. The primary focus of Operation Anvil is the disruption of serious and organised criminal activity. To date over 2,500 firearms and property to the value of €31.9 million have been recovered under Operation Anvil.

Garda operations and resources are reviewed on an ongoing basis by senior management to ensure their continued effectiveness.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies of cash or cash in transit in each of the past five years to date; the number in which firearms were used; the number of charges or convictions that arose therefrom; the number in respect of which there have been no charges or convictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21806/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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According to the Garda authorities the number of robberies of cash or cash in transit recorded in the years 2004 to the present, and the number of detections, are as follows :