Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which criminal gangs have been prosecuted under the new criminal justice legislation since the Acts were initiated; the numbers of persons charged and released without charge under this legislation; the number in respect of which charges have been preferred; the extent to which criminal gang leaders living abroad wanted on foot of crime here have been sought out for extradition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31237/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of tackling serious crime remains of the highest priority. I am happy that recent legislation I brought before this House to help combat this issue was enacted by way of the Criminal Justice Amendment Act 2009. This legislation was brought into effect on 23 July this year.

This Act is wide ranging and seeks, among other things, to remove the effects of jury intimidation. It also provides for the use of the Special Criminal Court in trials involving the most serious of crimes.

Provision has been made in the legislation for increasing the powers of detention available to Gardai and a new offence, that of directing a criminal organisation, has been created which can attract a sentence of up to life in prison if proven guilty.

As the Deputy is aware, the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 is a very new piece of legislation. While the Garda authorities are already making use of its provisions, it will take some time before they are in a position to bring criminals before the Courts.

This legislation is aimed at tackling very serious crimes and I am sure that the Deputy would not welcome Gardai rushing investigations with the possibility of failing to provide anything other than comprehensive evidence of criminality to the Courts in very serious cases. A major conference of senior Gardaí, chaired by the Garda Commissioner, took place in the Garda Training College, Templemore last week to coordinate the efforts of those involved in investigating serious crime. I have no doubt that the effects of Garda ongoing activities will be demonstrated in a very positive way with cases being brought before the Courts in due course.

I am informed that An Garda Síochána maintains close liaison with law enforcement agencies throughout Europe and elsewhere, exchanging information and intelligence on Irish criminals living abroad. This ongoing liaison has led to a number of successful joint operations, targeting attempted importations of drugs and firearms, resulting in a number of significant arrests here and in other Jurisdictions. Where intelligence, supported by evidence, is available law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions put operations in place, as appropriate, to prevent and detect such criminality.

Where information exists that a person, who is wanted in relation to a particular crime in this jurisdiction is living abroad, and where the particular legal requirements apply, extradition is sought or a European Arrest Warrant is applied for. In addition, Ireland is a party to various International Conventions which provide for assistance in criminal matters between jurisdictions.