Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of criminal gangs operating in this jurisdiction at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40436/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are two categories of organised crime groups operating in this jurisdiction. The first category consists of individuals / groups that are well established and tightly structured involved in drug trafficking, armed robbery and firearms offences. The second category involves groups whose activities are characterised by less cohesive group structures and criminal activities which are mainly confined to Ireland. I am further informed that information regarding such criminal groups is disseminated on a regular basis to Europol.

Membership of organised crime gangs tends to be fluid and the nature of criminal activity is such that offences committed by members of gangs may or may not be connected with the individual's membership of such gangs. It is not therefore possible to ascertain the precise number of criminal gangs operating in this jurisdiction Members of An Garda Síochána are utilising all available legislation, including legislative provisions introduced by the Oireachtas in 2009 amending the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 with regard to organised crime. In addition, 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. Specific initiatives are regularly undertaken alongside standard policing duties where the responsibility of enforcing all aspects of the criminal law lies with each member of An Garda Síochána.