Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2006
663 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the investigation into the recent shootings on the M50 and N4; if there are additional resources being allocated to deal with related issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14625/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation into the incidents referred to is ongoing and that an incident room has been set up in the Dublin metropolitan region west to co-ordinate the investigation. Local Garda management is satisfied that sufficient resources, supplemented as required from the national units including the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, are available to investigate this and related incidents.
I am also informed that both uniform and detective gardaí deployed under Operation Anvil continue to target those involved in gun related and serious crime through patrolling and armed checkpoints in order to disrupt their criminal activities. In addition, Operation Anvil has been extended nationwide and is being co-ordinated by a deputy commissioner. A series of special operations prepared by the relevant regional assistant commissioners and designed to focus on areas and incidents of high crime have been authorised.
I should also say that the timescale for achieving the target strength of 14,000 members of An Garda Síochána in line with the commitment in the agreed programme for Government remains as when I announced my proposals to achieve this objective in October 2004. The phased increase in the strength of An Garda Síochána to 14,000 will lead to a combined strength of both attested gardaí and recruits in training of 14,000 by the end of this year. This project is fully on target and will be achieved.
As part of the accelerated recruitment campaign to facilitate this record expansion, 1,125 Garda recruits were inducted to the Garda College during 2005. The college will induct a further 1,100 recruits this year and again in 2007 by way of intakes to the Garda College of approximately 275 recruits every quarter. The first incremental increase of newly attested gardaí under the programme of accelerated recruitment took place on 15 March 2006.
The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources and in this context the needs of the national units, including the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of An Garda Síochána.
