Vol. 566 No. 3
164 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the directives or instructions he has given to combat organised crime; the result of such initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12843/03]
During 2002, I advised the Garda Commissioner of policing priorities which the Government wishes to see addressed. The priorities have been incorporated into the Garda Síochána policing plan 2003. They include the objective of developing a strategic approach to policing and operational responsibilities in the areas of serious and organised crime.
In implementing this objective, the targeting of areas of criminality, as well as of individuals and groups operating nationally, will continue to be priorities for the Garda Síochána. The areas of criminality targeted are, in particular, trafficking in illicit drugs and human beings, armed robbery, "white collar" crime, counterfeiting and high-tech crime, including child pornography. The co-ordination of this approach will be undertaken by the Garda national support services, in consultation with local units as appropriate.
The Garda policing plan 2003, which is available in the Oireachtas Library, is the fourth of five annual policing plans to achieve the objectives of the Garda corporate strategy 2000-04. It sets out, in some detail, the strategic goals and performance indicators for the Garda Síochána in investigating crime generally, including serious and organised crime, and in implementing new and improved crime prevention measures.
The strategy statements of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, copies of which are also available in the Oireachtas Library, set out the range of challenging goals and activities across the broad spectrum of the Department's activities, including the delivery of the Government's comprehensive initiatives to tackle serious crime. The strategy statement for the period 2003-2005, which was approved recently by the Government, will be published in the very near future.
