Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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553. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he is taking to strengthen the law concerning gangland crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4073/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that tackling gangland crime activity is an absolute priority for An Garda Síochána and the Government.

I wish to acknowledge the superb and painstaking work of the Gardaí in harnessing an international coalition of support to tackle the criminality associated with a particular Organised Crime Group. The enforcement of sanctions demonstrates the tremendous value and power of international co-operation in tackling organised crime and the actions taken recently send a very clear message to those involved in the group, or associated with the group, that criminality will not go unnoticed or unpunished.

An Garda Síochána continues to play a leading role in international efforts to combat transnational organised crime groups. While we should not underestimate the difficulties which the Garda authorities face in tackling organised crime activity, we continue to see the significant results of their efforts in the arrests made and people being brought before the Courts, both here and in other jurisdictions, as well as the ongoing drugs and firearms seizures made.

An Garda Síochána tackles organised criminal activity through a range of targeted multi-disciplinary measures designed to disrupt and dismantle the operations of criminal organisations. Such approaches include the use of money-laundering legislation and the powers available to CAB under the proceeds of crime legislation and to the greatest extent possible, these measures include the use of advanced analytical and intelligence methodologies.

The additional resources allocated to AGS in recent years have enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime, including the Armed Support Unit, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).

Operational data retained at the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) indicates that during 2022, the GNDOCB conducted operations which resulted in the seizure of illicit drugs with an estimated street value in excess of €57 million and seized cash in excess of €3.7 million. GNDOCB operations are often conducted in collaboration with partner agencies, in particular the Revenue Commissioners Customs Service.

I can inform the Deputy that there are a range of robust legislative provisions available to An Garda Síochána and criminal legislation is continuously under review. We are committed to enacting the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which will increase the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from ten years to life in prison. These new laws will ensure that An Garda Síochána and our Courts have the tools they need to take firm and decisive action to deal with our most serious criminals.

The Programme for Government contains two commitments to “legislate against the coercion and use of minors in the sale and supply of drugs” and to “criminalise adults who groom children to commit crimes.” The Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Bill 2023 is designed to fulfil both of these commitments by recognising and making punishable in law the harm caused to children by drawing them into a life of crime.

Other measures taken to tackle organised crime include the establishment of a second Special Criminal Court in 2016 and the establishment of Garda Armed Response Units in all Garda regions which are available to support all divisions countrywide.