Written Answers. - Garda Operations.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
51
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
his plans for combating organised crime; if adequate co-operation exists between the Garda Síochána and other police forces on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32112/01]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
239
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the extent to which he and his Department are monitoring organised crime with particular reference to the international drug trade; if he is satisfied with the degree of co-operation received from other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32437/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 239 together.
My policy for tackling organised crime is one of strong legislation backed up by tough law enforcement measures. This combination has led to significant drug seizures, major organised crime groups being dismantled and the prosecution and imprisonment of a number of prominent criminals. The Criminal Assets Bureau, CAB, has been particularly successful in tracking and confiscating the proceeds of serious criminal activity. The activities of organised crime groups, including those involved in drug trafficking, are monitored by various Garda specialist units. In this context, the gardaí maintain close contact with other law enforcement agencies.
At a European Union level, the Treaty of Amsterdam provides that one of the Union's objectives shall be to provide citizens with a high level of safety within an area of freedom, security and justice. This objective is to be achieved by developing common action among the member states, including in the area of police co-operation, by preventing and combating crime, organised or otherwise.
In October, 1999 the Tampere European Council agreed on a comprehensive approach to reinforce the fight against serious crime. This included a number of new initiatives designed to foster police co-operation. The EU has also put in place a number of funded programmes to enhance training, exchanges and other contacts between law enforcement agencies.
A particularly important advance in EU law enforcement co-operation has been the development of Europol, staffed by police and customs officers from the MS. Europol is essentially a co-ordination centre for the collation, analysis and dissemination of information. It provides authorised law enforcement officers in the MS with access to shared information, including analytical support to investigations into drug smuggling operations.
At an EU and wider international level, contact with law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions involves information and intelligence sharing, along with joint operations which often cross numerous jurisdictions in a single operation. The appointment of Garda liaison officers to Europol and Interpol headquarters and in London, Paris, Madrid and the Hague facilitates this exchange of information and intelligence.
The Garda authorities have assured me that full co-operation has been received at all times from other jurisdictions.
