Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of convictions that have been secured arising from gangland gun murders in each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21573/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Information concerning the number of cases of murders recorded in which firearms were used, detected and proceedings relating to those cases in each year from 2005 to 2008 and in 2009 up to 21 May is set out in the table below. Figures provided are provisional, operational and liable to change. The Deputy will appreciate that the stage would not have been reached in proceedings where convictions could be expected to have been secured for cases arising in the last two to three years.

I am deeply concerned by the number of firearms related murders and I am continuing to work on strong legislative responses. I recently published the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill, which will facilitate the use as evidence in trials of material gained by secret surveillance, while at the same time ensuring that the encroachment on certain rights relating to personal privacy and privacy of property which this entails is both limited and proportionate.

The Government has approved my proposals for measures, along the lines of those in place to deal with paramilitary groups, to tackle organised crime gangs, in particular their attempts to undermine the criminal justice system through extreme acts of violence and intimidation. The Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill will be given priority in drafting.

I have published the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009 which will further tighten the legislative provisions relating to guns and knives and similar weapons and which is currently before the House. A de facto handgun ban is already in force.

A further important development is the publication of the Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 which gives effect to the measures contained in the Justice for Victims Initiative. The Bill provides for reform of the law on victim impact statements and proposes to end the ban on retrying people who have been acquitted in specified circumstances.

Work is also ongoing in relation to the creation of a DNA database.

Figures provided are valid up to and including 21 May, 2009 and are operational and liable to change.

* It will be appreciated that inevitably there is a time lapse between proceedings being commenced and convictions secured.