The Minister for Justice has confirmed that he is considering changes that would see those suspected of involvement in gang-related crime tried in the Special Criminal Court.
Dermot Ahern also told the Dáil that he was proposing to extend the range of offences for which bail can be refused.
Among the other steps being considered is a new offence of directing a criminal gang which could attract a life sentence.
According to the latest CSO crime statistics, there has been an increase in the number of murders as well as the number of drug and firearm offences in the first three months of this year.
Read the CSO report in full
There was also an increase in rape figures, but overall the number of sexual offences was down on last year.
14 people were murdered in the first three months of this year, one person more than in the same period last year.
Drug offences were also up; more than 5,500 offences were reported in the first quarter, more than 60 a day.
There was also a rise in the number of kidnapping and related offences.
The Prison Officers' Association said the figures show the increasing dangers its members face at work with the increasing number of violent and dangerous criminals in society and in the prisons.
