Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which the legislation produced specifically to target organised crime gangs has become operational to date, with particular reference to all such legislation passed in 2009; the number of persons arrested, charged, released or given prison sentences arising directly from this legislation; the extent to which the [i]modus operandi[/i] of criminal gangs has been affected by the implementation of this legislation; the number of special court sittings arising; the number of prison sentences imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13205/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware the Criminal Justice Surveillance Act 2009, the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 entered into force in July last year. The legislation in question represents additional legislative resources that the Oireachtas has made available to An Garda Síochána to facilitate them in their fight against serious and organised crime. 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.

Where there is justification and a legal basis, those suspected of involvement in criminal activity are arrested, detained and questioned in relation to specific crimes. I am advised that as a result of investigations focussing on organised crime a number of Garda investigation files have been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for direction. Relevant statistics in relation to the utilisation of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 will be compiled in the context of seeking the renewal of certain of its provisions later this year.

I can assure this House that members of An Garda Síochána will continue to utilise all resources available to them in order to combat the activities of those engaged in criminality of all forms. As Minister, I remain fully committed to supporting them in their ongoing efforts and will ensure that the necessary resources are made available as and when they may be required.