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

105. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the activities of criminal gangs continue to be pursued by An Garda Síochána with a view to de-glamourising the perceived activities of criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27747/16]

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

I can assure the Deputy that targeting organised criminal activity is an ongoing priority for the Garda authorities.

An Garda Síochána is tackling criminal groups through a range of targeted measures designed to disrupt and dismantle their operations.

This work involves the use of focused intelligence led operations by Garda specialist units including the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the National Economic Crime Bureau and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations, supported, as required, by the Security and Intelligence Section.

All of these specialist units operate under the umbrella of An Garda Síochána’s Special Crimes Operations Unit and working collaboratively they continue to achieve commendable success in tackling criminal groups.

Multi-disciplinary approaches are also utilised to ensure that those involved are effectively targeted including through the use of the Proceeds of Crime legislation, money laundering legislation and the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau.

The ongoing successes achieved in bringing those involved to justice and in targeting the proceeds of crime all serve to send out a strong message of deterrence and the simple message that crime does not pay.