Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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133. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the degree to which An Garda Síochána continues to have access to adequate resources to combat organised crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5715/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including personnel, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts, the various Garda national units and of course Garda Headquarters. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.

The Policing Plan of An Garda Síochána for 2014 sets out the continued commitment of An Garda Síochána to pro-actively target groups and individuals engaged in criminal activity. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that multi-disciplinary approaches are utilised to ensure the activities of individuals and groups involved in criminal enterprise are effectively targeted. This includes the effective use of a number of legislative provisions including proceeds of crime legislation, money laundering legislation, the additional legislative provisions introduced by the Oireachtas in 2009 which amended the Criminal Justice Act, 2006, relating to organised crime and the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau.

An Garda Síochána will continue to develop and implement strategies available to dismantle and disrupt criminal networks, utilising advanced analytical and intelligence methods to facilitate targeted operations in order to enable early intervention and prevention of such crimes.