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Gangland Crime

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016

Wednesday, 20 July 2016

Questions (84)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

84. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which her Department and the Garda authorities have identified the total membership of criminal gangs operating in all parts of the country; if continued action is planned to combat them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23062/16]

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Written answers

I can assure the Deputy that tackling organised crime activity is a key ongoing priority for both the Government and An Garda Síochána.

An Garda Síochána's Policing Plan sets out the priorities of An Garda Síochána in tackling organised crime activity including its continued commitment to pro-actively target groups and individuals engaged in criminal activity, including organised criminal activities.

In tackling such activity, An Garda Síochána continues to develop and implement operations and strategies aimed at targeting, dismantling and disrupting criminal networks, utilising advanced analytical and intelligence methodologies. Multi-disciplinary approaches are also utilised to ensure the activities of individuals and groups involved in criminal enterprise are effectively targeted, including through the use of the proceeds of crimes legislation, money-laundering legislation, the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 relating to organised crime and the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau.

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 persons being brought before the Courts, as well as the ongoing drugs and firearms seizures made.

With regard to the question of membership, I am advised that membership of criminal groups tends to be fluid with groups merging and splitting on an ongoing basis. In addition many modern groupings are transnational in nature. With this in mind, the Deputy will appreciate the difficulty in attributing precise figures to membership at any particular point in time.

In support of the efforts of An Garda Síochána, the Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources to deliver highly-mobile and responsive Garda patrols in both rural and urban communities. Since 2012, over €34 million has been invested in renewing the Garda fleet to support front line Garda responses with over 720 new vehicles coming on stream since the start of 2015 and a further €46 million is being provided under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. The Government is also investing in airborne surveillance and enhanced technology and ICT systems. The increased budget allocation for 2016 will also facilitate additional funding for Garda surveillance, special operations and targeted, intelligence-led policing.

Having regard to more recent serious organised crime activity, a number of targeted additional measures have been announced in support of the work of An Garda Síochána.

I have recently announced a range of measures including legislative proposals to provide additional powers to the Criminal Assets Bureau in targeting the proceeds of crime, an additional allocation of €55 million to be made available to An Garda Síochána this year in support of targeted measures and a review of our legislation to see whether there are other changes in the law which might be made to address the reality of groups intent on carrying out a sustained series of killings while endangering the safety of communities.

The Garda Commissioner has also announced the establishment of a new Garda Special Crime Task Force to augment existing responses to organised crime at a local level.

In addition, at the request of the Garda Commissioner earlier this year, funding was approved for the establishment of a dedicated Armed Support Unit (ASU) for the Dublin Metropolitan Region in order to enhance armed support capability in Dublin and to free up the resources of the Emergency Response Unit.

These measures have been brought forward alongside the proposals announced for accelerated recruitment into An Garda Síochána.

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