Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 April 2015
137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the degree to which adequate resources are being made available to an Garda Síochána, to combat the supply of guns to organised criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13811/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
The An Garda Síochána Policing Plan for 2015 sets out the continued commitment of An Garda Síochána to pro-actively target groups and individuals engaged in serious crime in all its forms, in particular violent crime and organised criminal activity. Members of An Garda Síochána continue to utilise all available legislation, including the additional legislative provisions introduced by the Oireachtas in 2009 which amended the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 relating to organised crime.
Europol have identified the need for a community wide approach to help tackle Organised Crime Groupings including law enforcement, customs, business interests and government policy. An Garda Síochána are acutely aware that the targeting of Organised Criminal Groupings is best advanced by using multi-disciplinary approaches to ensure the activities of individuals and groups are effectively targeted. This includes the use of the Proceeds of Crimes Legislation including money-laundering legislation and the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau.
An Garda Síochána also interact with a number of other law enforcement agencies from outside the jurisdiction in the ongoing combating of drugs and firearms trafficking and organised crime on an international level.
Taking cognisance of the target focused operations of both the Organised Crime Unit and the Garda National Drug Unit and the strength that could be gained from combining resources, the Commissioner decided to merge the Organised Crime Unit and the Garda National Drug Unit to create a robust entity, the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau to effectively tackle organised crime as it currently exists in this country.
The newly amalgamated unit will benefit from the skill sets of both the Organised Crime Unit and the Garda National Drug Unit personnel, in establishing an enforcement and investigative unit which will manage national and international drug trafficking and organised crime investigations.
Organised crime is often transnational in nature, constantly evolving and diversifying to take advantage of the prevailing economic and social conditions; developments in technology; and increasing mobility at a global level. 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.
The resources available to target the activities of Organised Criminal Groups (OCGs) include direct resources allocated to the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau itself as well as indirect resources which include the services of specialist units as well as Divisional and District Drugs and Detective Units.
