Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of criminal gang leaders or members apprehended, prosecuted or convicted under the 2009 Criminal Justice legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40690/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will acknowledge the Government has introduced an extensive package of criminal justice legislation this year targeted at those engaged in serious crime, including

the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 by which all organised crime offences will be tried in the Special Criminal Court unless the DPP directs otherwise

the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009, which provides a statutory framework for evidence obtained by means of covert surveillance to be used in criminal trials

and the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 which further tightens the legislative provisions relating to the use of weapons.

As the Deputy will appreciate, all of these provisions are very new pieces of legislation aimed at tackling serious crimes but I can fully assure the House that An Garda Síochána are already actively making use of these new legislative measures.

I am sure the Deputy will understand that given the seriousness of the offences being dealt with though this range of legislation that a full and thorough investigation of individuals and their activities must be conducted before charges can be brought against them. Therefore it is too early at this stage to provide details as sought by the Deputy.