A ban on handguns, new surveillance powers to deal with gangland crime and a DNA database are among measures set to be introduced by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Dermot Ahern in the coming weeks.
Mr Ahern made the announcement at the launch of the State's first White Paper on crime today saying tackling crime was his "number one priority."
The White Paper will include a review of current law enforcement issues and will investigate the implications of changing technologies and social trends, the role of victims and witnesses and the part played by sanctions and diversion.
It will also look at differing approaches to crime prevention and early intervention both nationally and internationally.
Speaking today Mr Ahern said the policy document would be at the heart of a new long-term strategy to fight crime.
"It will be the blueprint to serve successive governments for decades ahead. To that end, it will be the most wide-ranging and comprehensive policy development exercise ever undertaken in this area," he said.
"In developing the White Paper, I want the input of communities and ordinary people as well as criminologists and social scientists, and those at the front line in the fight against crime."
Anyone interested in contributing to the policy document should send their views to the Department of Justice focusing on which subjects should be addressed.
Updates on the White Paper process will be carried in a dedicated section of the Department's website www.justice.ie and an email address
whitepaperoncrime@justice.iehas been set up for receiving feedback.
Fine Gael Justice Spokesperson Charlie Flanagan today welcomed Mr Ahern's announcement but warned that the project must not be used to justify Government inaction.
"I welcome Minister Ahern's recognition that a strategic and informed approach is essential in tackling crime, however, this Government is notorious for commissioning reports and then failing to act upon their
recommendations," he said.
"We already have excellent research on crime, its causes and how it can be tackled coming from a range of agencies including the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, the Council of Europe Anti-Torture Committee and the Law Reform Commission. However, the Government has been extremely slow to take action on the host of expert recommendations contained in a variety of reports."
He said Dermot Ahern has proven to be a Minister who "talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk."