Vol. 279 No. 6
(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of disquiet and dissatisfaction among city centre traders concerning ever-increasing crime and vandalism; and if he will consider allocating additional police to cope with the situation.
88.
asked the Minister for Justice if any extra measures are contemplated to give protection to city centre traders against whom a wave of vandalism appears to have been directed recently.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
I share the concern of the Dublin city centre traders at the incidence of crimes of violence and malicious damage to property in the area. The strength of the Garda Síochána in the Dublin area has been increased over the past four years by almost 15 per cent and I am informed by the Commissioner that beat personnel and mobile patrols are deployed to give the best possible coverage to areas where vandals are most active. If and when circumstances permit additional manpower will be allocated to the Dublin metropolitan area.
(Dublin Central): The Minister is aware of a recent meeting of Dublin traders at which they expressed complete dissatisfaction with the protection they are getting. There is increased vandalism and violence and personal injury right through the city, and not in Dublin city centre alone. It was stated at that meeting that there are not sufficient police on foot patrol in the centre and right through the city and this can be borne out.
I am aware of the meeting to which the Deputy refers but I am not aware that the dissatisfaction expressed related entirely to policing matters. It would appear from the reports of the meeting that it ranged over a study of the causes of increased violence and vandalism in the central Dublin area and many of these causes were put down as social in their root. At the end of the meeting a number of resolutions were adopted only one of which related to more intensive Garda patrolling. The Garda authorities are anxious to increase the incidence of Garda patrols and the numbers of gardaí deployed in the city centre because they are well aware of the difficulties of traders there and sympathise with them. The presence of three or four superintendents at the meeting in question was indicative of that. I am informed that at the meeting the traders praised the guards for their efforts. It boils down essentially to the level of policing available, having regard to the number of men available. As I said in my reply, the strength has been increased in the past four years by 15 per cent. As soon as more guards become available to the Commissioner, I have no doubt he will deploy them in the areas where they are most badly needed.
(Dublin Central): I want to make one thing perfectly clear. There was no criticism of the police. There was criticism of the number of police available. I agree that several other factors were discussed but for the short term it was agreed that additional police patrols were required for the centre city. Are they not required throughout the whole city? If additional police are not made available very soon, there will be no law and order.
Would the Minister not consider concentrating on foot patrols? This seems to be the only deterrent in that area. Is he aware that while there may have been only one resolution passed, some traders mentioned the possibility of taking drastic measures, such as withholding VAT or rates and some even talked about closing up because no insurance company will give them cover? One trader said that his shop had been raided three times in one month.
I can assure the Deputies that the Garda authorities and I share their concern over the predicament in the city centre. Whatever can be done within the limits of the manpower available to the Commissioner will be done. I understand that the incidence of the beat patrols has been increased in certain pressure points. As more men become available, I have no doubt they will be deployed to the areas where they are most urgently needed. It is clear that the centre city district would be such an area. Recruitment is going on all the time. The numerical strength of the Garda is at its highest ever, over 8,000 men. Unfortunately, a substantial number of these have to be deployed along the Border. We can only hope that the exigencies which require their presence may disappear or diminish in the immediate future. This would release men for the civic duties for which they were primarily engaged—the protection of law abiding citizens in their own cities. I share the Deputies' concern about this, as does the Commissioner. Whatever can be done to alleviate the position for the traders in this part of Dublin, will be done.
(Dublin Central): It is very important that there be an increase in numbers shortly. The Minister mentioned an increase in the police force of 15 per cent——
No, a 15 per cent increase in the Dublin area.
(Dublin Central): Would the Minister agree that these men are deployed guarding installations and VIPs?
Of course I agree. This is the whole difficulty. Many members of the Garda must be diverted to security duties because of IRA activities. If the community would only realise the disadvantage and the indirect cost of these IRA activities, that would be a significant factor in ending that problem. I agree that more gardaí would be the answer, but they must be recruited first and then trained. When they are trained they will be deployed to priority areas. I agree that this is a priority area but unfortunately it must take second place to the security of the State.
The Minister should concentrate on Garda foot patrols. It may be a sign of the times for the Garda force to be mechanised but that is a poor substitute for the foot patrol that is needed in this area. Assistants have refused to work in shops because they were intimidated and assaulted.
I am aware that the Garda authorities believe in the efficacy of foot patrols. The policy of some years ago of mechanised patrols has changed back in favour of foot patrols. The Deputy may have noticed that gardaí on foot patrols are a much more frequent sight than formerly. This policy will be expanded as manpower becomes available.
