Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
715. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if she had been appraised of the work undertaken by An Garda Síochána in respect of an operation (details supplied); the length of time the operation has been in place; the arrests undertaken to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9709/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in these decisions. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Fógra is a regional operation established in the Dublin Metropolitan Region by Assistant Commissioner, DMR, on 27 November 2020, to enhance the understanding of and support An Garda Síochána’s response to incidents of Drug Related Intimidation (DRI) in the DMR.
The operation has two pillars - a harm reduction, victim centred approach and information enabled policing, informing operational responses.
I am informed that the objectives of Operation Fógra are to increase frontline awareness of DRI, enhance collaboration with community supports, improve effectiveness of the DRI Reporting Programme and provide a greater analytical understanding of DRI, driving appropriate and proactive interventions.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the operational outcomes from the implementation of Operation Fógra are:
- Increased community confidence in the policing response;
- Reduction in community harm/fear from DRI;
- Meeting whole of policing objectives with the community;
- More evidence based approach to operational interventions;
- Enhanced victim centred approach;
- Keeping people safe.
I am informed that there are a number of investigations and lines of enquiry ongoing in the DMR in relation to DRI related criminal activity, and while the operation has only begun very recently, a number of arrests are planned.
