As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including fully sworn members and Reserve Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of security assessments, crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
Tackling organised crime remains a key ongoing priority for both the Government and An Garda Síochána. This priority is clearly reflected in An Garda Síochána Policing Plan 2014 which sets out the continued commitment of An Garda Síochána to pro-actively identify and target organised crime groups whose activities have such an impact on communities across the country.
In this regard, An Garda Síochána continues to tackle organised crime through a range of targeted activities designed to disrupt and dismantle their operations. This involves targeting serious criminals and organised criminal groups through 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 and the work of the Criminal Assets Bureau.
These units are also supported, as required, by the Security and Intelligence Section which assists with the provision of intelligence briefings and timely information. All of these specialist units operate under the remit of the Assistant Commissioner in charge of the National Support Services and working collaboratively they continue to achieve commendable success in tackling criminal gangs.
An Garda Síochána also maintains close liaison with other law enforcement agencies internationally and the work of Garda liaison officers who are permanently based in other jurisdictions and in international bodies such as Interpol and Europol greatly facilitates the prompt exchange of information and intelligence on criminal activity.
In recent days I have clearly signalled my intention to support the Garda Síochána in their efforts to address particular deficits identified in the recent Garda Inspectorate report on crime investigation. However, the Deputy will appreciate that the issues raised in the report are widespread, varied and far-reaching and, when taken together with the review of the Garda Síochána under the Haddington Road agreement, will demand significant structural reform within the Garda Síochána. The particular issues identified with regard to technology will be addressed within that context.
In the area of forensics the Deputy will also be aware that the forensic capacity of An Garda Síochána will be further enhanced by a new national DNA database, which will be established on foot of the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act, 2014 and is expected to be operational by the new year. As regards other areas of forensic science the Garda authorities currently employ automated fingerprint and ballistics identification systems which I am informed are at least on a par with those used by police forces in other EU jurisdictions.
