asked the Minister for Justice if he intends to make any special arrangements to protect the people living in towns and villages in Wicklow and the property of shopkeepers, houseowners and farmers from the vandals who terrorised these people, particularly during the Easter period; and if he will ensure that the incidents that took place then will not be repeated at weekends during the summer and particularly during the long holiday weekends.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vandalism in Wicklow.
12.
I am aware of the understandable concern felt by local people at the activities of a minority of those who visited holiday centres in Wicklow during the Easter weekend.
In order to keep such activities in check, it is standard practice during the summer months to transfer additional gardaí to centres where an influx of visitors is expected, especially on weekends, and this will be done again this year. In this way, I hope the grounds for complaint will be minimised.
Is it the Minister's intention to place a patrol car in the Arklow area? This has been requested for more than a year and he has refused the request. Is it intended to provide this car in addition to the gardaí whom the Minister proposes to add to the force over the weekends during the summer months?
At the moment the Arklow area is patrolled by a squad car from Gorey, which is the district headquarters for Arklow. In addition there is a motor cyclist based in Arklow for the Arklow area only.
The Minister must be aware that this is totally inadequate for a town the size of Arklow and its hinterland if there is to be adequate protection given to people and property in this area. Would the Minister not do what the people of the area have asked repeatedly, namely, place a squad car permanently in Arklow?
The Research and Planning Unit are considering that question at the moment.
Surely the Minister is aware of the frustration and annoyance that exist among members of the Garda Síochána at the moment? They risk their lives to do their duty and when they bring the thugs and culprits to court——
This has nothing to do with the question.
They let out one man and he has committed four crimes since——
The Deputy should behave himself and resume his seat.
The Minister should face up to his responsibilities. He hates to be told the truth.
Is the Minister aware that in certain areas where a lot of vandalism occurs at weekends, especially at seaside resorts, vigilante committees have been appointed by local people to deal with the problem? Will the Minister say if the gardaí will co-operate with those groups in an effort to protect people and property, as Deputy Kavanagh pointed out?
I think Question No. 12 relates to Wicklow only.
It is a separate question. The question on the Order Paper relates to Wicklow.
I should like to ask the Minister if such a committee has been set up in Wicklow?
If it were set up I would then think about the question.
In other words, the Minister does not know and does not care?
I am calling Question No. 13.