Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the degree to which he and his Department have monitored the activities of those involved in drug and people trafficking, prostitution, child prostitution, racketeering, protectionism, blackmail, witness interference and intimidation; the number of prosecutions taken; the number of reports received or compiled relating to such activity; his preferred options to deal with such issues in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13949/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The monitoring and investigation of the various criminal activities referred to by the Deputy is a matter in the first instance for An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Policing Plan 2012 sets out the key actions in tackling organised crime for the year ahead with a focus on drug trafficking, e-crime, financial crime, and the targeting of organised gangs through:

Using intelligence and analysis to inform operations against organised crime groups

Working in partnership with Customs and Revenue Officials and other national and international agencies

Focusing on reducing e-crime using leading edge technology and through active engagement with the community and business stakeholders

An Garda Síochána proactively targets groups and individuals engaged in organised criminal activities, including drug trafficking and the other activities referred to by the Deputy. A multi-agency law enforcement approach is utilised whereby specialist units from the National Support Service, such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, and the Garda Technical Bureau are used to combat serious crime.

I am particularly focused on supporting the work of the Criminal Assets Bureau in targeting the proceeds of crime. The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government includes a commitment to strengthen the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau in relation to the forfeiture of the proceeds of crime. In this regard an Expert Group has been established under the auspices of my Department to review the operation of the Proceeds of Crime legislation with a view to identifying possible improvements which would serve to enhance the powers of the Bureau. When that work concludes I will bring forward my proposals in the normal way.

The legislative framework underpinning the State's response to organised crime is also being kept under review with regard to the question of whether any further improvements could be made to render it more effective. In particular, I have requested my Department to undertake a specific review of the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 to see if its provisions can be strengthened. The views of the Garda Commissioner have been sought in relation to the operation of the Act to date.

Insofar as statistics are concerned, the Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide relevant crime statistics directly to the Deputy.