Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on Operation Archer; the number of persons arrested and charged to date under Operation Archer; the number of gardaí involved; the cost of the operation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23423/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that, following an analysis of crime trends in Finglas Garda sub-district, local Garda management commenced Operation Archer in August 2008 to prevent and detect crime, by restricting and disrupting the movement of criminals in the Finglas South area using overt and covert policing. Garda personnel from Finglas Garda Station are supported by District and Divisional uniformed and plain-clothes personnel, supplemented as necessary by armed and other specialist units from the Special Detective Unit, the Organised Crime Unit, the Emergency Response Unit and National Support Services. Additional armed detective patrols are also provided at certain times.

I am further informed that to date there have been 1,094 incidents recorded related to Operation Archer, including 509 searches and 259 traffic-related incidents. The provision of details of arrests and costs would require a disproportionate use of Garda resources. Local Garda management is satisfied with the results of Operation Archer to date and keeps the situation under ongoing review.