Simon Harris Minister for Justice I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to discuss the impact of gangland and organised crime on communities across the country. It is a timely discussion as the Government sets to introduce tougher laws to further support An Garda Síochána in taking on the gangs that try to inflict misery on communities.

I am pleased to report that significant progress has been made by An Garda Síochána in the past decade in dismantling organised crime. Since 2015, more than 1,300 people have been arrested and €324 million of drugs seized and, since spring 2016, 80 interventions have been made by An Garda Síochána in the context of threats to life. While we should not underestimate the difficulties the Garda faces in tackling organised crime activity, we continue to see the significant results of its efforts in the arrests made and the people brought before the courts, both here and, importantly, in other jurisdictions, as well as the ongoing drugs and firearms seizures. This is commendable work and the Government will continue to support An Garda Síochána in its efforts.

All present are aware of the judgments of the Special Criminal Court on Monday. Although there may be a significant focus on one of the court’s decisions, it is important that we acknowledge the convictions of two other people for facilitating the brutal and callous attack in the Regency Hotel in 2016. The events and murder on that day remain the subject of a live investigation and I do not wish to say anything to interfere with that painstaking work by An Garda Síochána. I do, however, want to send out a very strong message: justice always prevails. The criminal gangs causing fear, violence and murder across this country can run and they can try to hide but An Garda Síochána will never stop pursuing and dismantling them. Crucially, that pursuit does not and will not stop at the country's borders.

I am proud to state that An Garda Síochána has built law enforcement coalitions across the world. Just as these criminals seek to operate across countries and continents, leaving misery and pain everywhere they go, An Garda Síochána has built alliances with colleagues in the UK, United States, Europe and South America, as well as with its partners in Interpol and Europol. These gangs have been left under no illusion. Wherever they try to go, we will follow. We will be there and justice will follow. That is why the Government has supported An Garda Síochána in establishing a powerful international network of Garda liaison officers in Madrid, Paris, London, the Hague, Washington D.C., Bogota, Abu Dhabi and Bangkok. I am pleased to confirm to the House that there are more locations to come. These Garda liaison officers are crucial in building alliances that are vital in the modern era of fighting what is clearly transnational crime. I thank and pay tribute to the members of An Garda Síochána serving in these roles abroad, as well to their families.

As legislators, we will and must always do our part in equipping An Garda Síochána with the tools it needs to end the chokehold these gangs try to exert on families, communities and individuals in Ireland. A major priority shared by Members across the House must be to ensure we prevent the next generation from being used as pawns and runners in the criminal underworld. Children are being exploited by these criminals. Kids are being deceived by criminal networks into believing crime can bring wealth, bling and a party lifestyle but, in reality, it brings death, fear, debt and much more. Later this year, the Oireachtas will move - I hope to have cross-party support on this - to outlaw the grooming of children into crime by making it an offence for an adult to compel, coerce, direct or deceive a child for the purpose of engaging in criminal activity or for an adult to induce, invite, aid, abet, counsel or procure a child to engage in criminal activity. This law will help to disrupt the ruthless pursuit of kids and teenagers by criminal networks.

[For the full debate, click here to the Oireachtas website