Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 161: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the extent, if any, to which his most recent legislation in respect of legally held guns has affected the availability to criminals of submachine guns; the action he proposes to take, if any, to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35644/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The firearms provisions of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 completed the necessary updating of our firearms licensing process. I have always made it clear that it was not brought forward specifically in the context of tackling gangland crime.

The 2009 Act brought in a wide range of measures to modernise the licensing system and to increase public safety. In this regard, all firearm owners must also comply with the security requirements as laid down in S.I. 307 of 2009 Firearms (Secure Accommodation) Regulations 2009. The minimum security standards required at a dwelling is dependent on the number and calibre of firearms held by an individual. This requirement applies to owners of all firearms. A person applying for a Firearm Certificate for target-shooting must now be a member of an authorised rifle or pistol club as laid down in the Firearms (Authorisation of Rifle or Pistol Clubs) Regulations, 2009 (S.I. 308 of 2009).

In relation to criminals and the work of the Gardaí, An Garda Síochána's Policing Plan 2010 sets out the commitment to proactively target groups and individuals engaged in organised crime and to this end there are currently a number of intelligence-led operations focusing on organised crime groups in the Greater Dublin area and regional cities. A key part of these operations is a focus on stemming the supply of firearms to such groups. As a direct result of these operations, a number of individuals are before the courts charged with serious offences concerning the sale and supply of firearms.

The Organised Crime Unit (OCU), within the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations, in particular, is committed to tackling the issue of organised crime, including the illegal importation of firearms.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 162: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the action taken by him and his Department to prevent criminal gangs from gaining access to firearms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35645/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

An Garda Síochána's Policing Plan 2010 sets out a commitment to proactively target groups and individuals engaged in organised crime. To this end a number of intelligence-led operations, such as Operation Anvil, which focusses on organised crime groups in the Greater Dublin area and regional cities are currently being supported. A key part of these operations is a focus on stemming the supply of firearms to such groups. As a direct result of these operations, a number of individuals are before the courts charged with serious offences concerning the sale and supply of firearms. Since the commencement of Operation Anvil in excess of 1,400 firearms have been recovered in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, with a further 1,800 seized outside the Dublin Metropolitan Region up to the end of August, 2010.

The Organised Crime Unit (OCU) operating within the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations, in particular, is committed to tackling the issue of organised crime, including the illegal importation of firearms. In this regard, inter-agency cooperation is essential and the OCU maintains close liaison with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency in the United Kingdom. Officers attend formal cross-border and international conferences and engage in joint policing operations targeting organised criminals operating within these jurisdictions. An Garda Síochána also has Liaison Officers based in the UK, The Netherlands, Spain and Portugal, with officers currently also seconded to Europol and Interpol. There is also strong inter-agency cooperation with the Revenue Commissioners (Customs) and the Naval Service.

There are, of course, already very severe penalties for firearms offences in place under the Criminal Justice Act 2006. For example, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and using a firearm to resist arrest or aid escape carry a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years. Possessing a firearm while hijacking a vehicle, possessing a firearm or ammunition in suspicious circumstances, carrying a firearm with criminal intent and altering a firearm carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years. In addition, the controls on the issue of firearms certificates, and the conditions under which weapons can be held, have been strengthened in order to ensure that legitimately held firearms remain as far from the reach of criminals as possible.

The organised crime situation remains under constant review by senior management in An Garda Síochána. Members of An Garda Síochána are utilising all available legislation, including additional legislative provisions introduced by the Oireachtas in 2009 relating to organised crime. An Garda Síochána will continue to develop and implement strategies to dismantle and disrupt criminal networks, utilising advanced analytical and intelligence methods to facilitate targeted operations to enable early intervention and prevention of such crimes.