Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

463. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the action she will take to tackle the rising gun crime in parts of Dublin city after the shooting of a six year old recently in the city; if she has met with the superintendent in the area and all public representatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26788/14]

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

502. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate resources remain available to An Garda Síochána to combat gun crime and the organised activity of criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27400/14]

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

505. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which An Garda Síochána has adequate resources to meet the challenges of organised criminal activity with particular reference to gun crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27403/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 463, 502 and 505 together.

As I have already stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of today's date, the House will not need reminding of the consequences of gun crime, and will join with me, I am sure, in expressing our collective outrage at the appalling recent incident which resulted in a child being shot. Our sympathy is with this young boy and his family, and as I outlined to the House last week, An Garda Síochána is determined to bring to justice those involved. I have also indicated my willingness to meet members of the local community.

While the challenges faced are very real, Gardaí tackle organised and gun crime through a range of targeted and intelligence based operations, often disrupting and preventing incidents, as well as detecting and prosecuting those involved. I recently discussed the challenges presented by this type of crime, and particularly its association with organised crime, with the Acting Commissioner, who outlined the substantial efforts being made by An Garda Síochána to identify and target those involved.

Addressing organised crime is a key ongoing priority for An Garda Síochána and this priority is clearly reflected in the Garda Policing Plan for 2014. This priority is given effect through a range of targeted activities designed to disrupt and dismantle criminal operations. This involves the use of focused intelligence led operations by specialist units such as the Organised Crime Unit, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the work of the Criminal Assets Bureau and international cooperation including through Garda liaison officers based in other jurisdictions and in bodies such as Interpol and Europol.

We all appreciate the concern that gun crime gives rise to in the community but it is only right that we also we acknowledge that the number of crime incidents in which a firearm was involved was last seen down, by more than 7%. It is also important to note that, in addition to law enforcement and criminal investigation, the Gardaí work closely with local communities to address local concerns about crime and community safety, including through schemes to divert young people from getting involved in criminality.

It is clear to all that gun crime has for some time been an inherent part of organised criminal activity in this jurisdiction, as it is in other similar countries. This demands a robust response and this is precisely what is happening. Considerable powers and investigative tools are available to An Garda Síochána, to which we have recently added the DNA database legislation. The Gardaí make extensive use of these powers to tackle and disrupt organised crime, with persons regularly brought before the courts and substantial sentences handed down. I can assure the Deputy that confronting organised crime and the harm it causes is a priority for the Government and will certainly be a priority for me as Minister for Justice and Equality.