Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will report on Garda Operation Shannon; the number of persons arrested and charged to date; the number of stolen vehicles recovered to date; the number of gardaí involved to date; the cost of the operation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47187/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Shannon, which commenced in 2006, is an ongoing investigation by the Stolen Motor Vehicle Section of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation into the theft and sale by organised crime groups of stolen vehicles, supported by counterfeit vehicle registration documentation.

Since the commencement of the investigation, 221 stolen vehicles have been recovered. Twenty three persons have been arrested, some of whom have been convicted for offences relating to deception, handling or possession of stolen vehicles or possession of counterfeit documents. Four of those convicted had prison sentences imposed, while others were ordered to pay compensation to unsuspecting parties who had purchased such stolen vehicles. Two persons are awaiting trial.

I am also informed that a breakdown as sought by the Deputy of the cost of this investigation, which remains ongoing, could not be made available without a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will report on Garda Operation Foolscap; the number of gardaí involved; the number of persons arrested and charged to date; the amount of drugs seized; the amount of firearms seized; the amount of stolen property recovered to date and the cost of the operation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47188/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that Operation Foolscap was established in the Galway Garda Division in October 2009. It is an ongoing operation targeting the activities of a particular organised crime group.

The number of members of An Garda Síochána involved in the Operation can vary with up to 150 Gardaí involved at certain times, including members of the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and Crime & Security personnel.

To date, thirteen charges have been preferred against ten persons arrested on foot of the Operation. The charges relate to a range of alleged offences including offences under the following provisions: Section 71A of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 as inserted by section 5 of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 (directing a criminal organisation); Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 as inserted by section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 (participating etc in organised crime); Section 12 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 (Burglary); Sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984 (possession of controlled drugs and possession of controlled drugs for unlawful sale or supply). Drugs, including cannabis herb and a quantity of cocaine, with a total estimate street-value of approximately €57,000 have been seized. No firearms or stolen property have been recovered to date. The cost of this Operation, which remains ongoing, is not readily available and would require a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources to calculate same.