Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it has been established that criminal gang members or leaders have moved to other jurisdictions since the passing of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009 and the Criminal Justice Provision Bill 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46515/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he has taken or proposes to take to monitor and restrict or challenge the activity of organised criminals that have moved from the city centre to adjoining counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46537/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 147 together.

I assure the Deputy that the Government attaches the highest priority to tackling serious crime and bringing those involved in such activities to justice. Garda activity in pursuing criminals and preventing criminal acts is and will continue to be relentless irrespective of the location where such activity is carried out.

In this regard, one of the main priorities I have set for An Garda Síochána in 2009 is to target gun crime, organised crime, and drug related crime through a range of measures, including the use of Garda specialist units such as the Organised Crime Unit, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Successful operations continue to be carried out by the Gardaí to deal with such crime such as Operation Anvil. Operation Anvil commenced in May 2005 in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, and was extended nationwide in 2006. The primary focus of this operation is the disruption of serious and organised criminal activity.

Operation Anvil has, to date, resulted in approximately 1,332 firearms being recovered in Dublin and 1,500 in the rest of the country (up to 29th November 2009). In addition, the value of property recovered under this Operation to date is approximately €37 million and Anvil has led to a significant number of arrests and prosecutions.

Operations and intelligence led initiatives are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure their effectives. In addition the situation is being closely monitored and kept under constant review by senior Garda management in conjunction with Regional Assistant Commissioners and Head of Units. With regard to the issue of criminals moving abroad since the introduction of recent legislation, while I am aware of anecdotal suggestions in this regard, I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is difficult, of its nature, to ascribe with certainty a motive for any criminals moving from Ireland. Related to this point, An Garda Síochána maintains close liaison with law enforcement agencies throughout Europe and elsewhere, exchanging information and intelligence on Irish criminals living abroad. In addition Ireland is a party to various International Conventions which provide for assistance in criminal matters between jurisdictions. 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. Furthermore 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons interviewed by the gardaí in the course of the past 12 months to date in 2009 who are known to be associates of or directly involved in criminal gang activity; the action taken under legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46516/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that where there is justification and a legal basis, those suspected of involvement in criminal activity are arrested, detained and questioned in relation to specific crime.

I can assure the Deputy that members of An Garda Síochána will continue to utilise all available measures, including all the additional legislative provisions recently introduced by the Oireachtas relating to organised crime, to develop and implement strategies to continue to dismantle and disrupt criminal networks. Records are not maintained in a manner that would enable the statistics sought by the Deputy to be provided.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons imprisoned arising from the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009 and the Criminal Justice Provision Bill 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46517/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the legislation in question has only recently been enacted and contains a wide range of measures, including amendments to the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, measures relating to the Schengen Information System and amendments to the Firearms Acts.

Given the wide range of measures contained in the legislation, the information requested is not readily available and could not be compiled without the use of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources. If the Deputy wishes to write to me with specific queries I will respond to them.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of known members of criminal gangs who have been charged, sentenced or have charges pending arising from the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2009 and the Criminal Justice Provision Bill 2009 to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46518/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 32 of 10th December 2009.