Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of criminal gang leaders detained and charged to date under the terms of the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009, the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6036/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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This suite of legislation is aimed at tackling serious crimes and I can assure the House that An Garda Síochána have been actively using its provisions to target and disrupt organised criminal networks and their activities.

Given the serious nature of the offences dealt with under the legislation in question a full and thorough investigation of individuals and their activities is necessary and must be conducted before charges can be brought against them.

Given the relatively recent enactment of this legislation it remains too early to collate meaningful statistics in relation to the operation of all of its provisions.

I am however advised that a number of Garda investigation files have been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions and I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána will continue to utilise all available legislation, including all the additional legislative provisions introduced by the Oireachtas in 2009 relating to organised crime, to develop and implement strategies to continue to dismantle and disrupt criminal networks.