asked the Minister for Justice whether in view of (1) the murder of a security officer yesterday in an armed raid, (2) public disquiet at the alarming increase in armed robberies, and (3) the possibility of further serious crime over the Christmas period when large amounts of moneys are in circulation he will make a statement on the matter and indicate the steps he is taking to deal with the situation.
Private Notice Question: - Armed Robberies.
I am sure I express the sentiment of everyone in this House when I say how much I regret the unfortunate tragedy that occurred yesterday when a young security guard was shot dead in the course of an armed robbery. On 9 November last in reply to a parliamentary question the Minister gave an account of various additional measures being taken to combat crime. I cannot usefully add at this stage to what is in that statement. The tragic events of yesterday do not alter the basic situation. The use of firearms by criminal elements is something that is becoming prevalent in our society, and unfortunately one cannot rule out the possibility of tragic incidents, even incidents involving loss of life. There is no easy solution. However, I am confident that the increased resources now being made available to the Garda Síochána will greatly improve their capacity to deal with armed robberies and other serious crime.
Concerning additional precautions in the period before Christmas, the Garda authorities are taking additional measures, though obviously I cannot enter into discussion about them. Unfortunately we have to accept the reality that any such measures can only decrease the risk of crime and cannot eliminate it. We recognise the problem and are doing everything reasonably possible to meet it.
I would endorse the Minister's sympathy to the relatives of the unfortunate deceased man. Bearing in mind the suggestion that increased resources are being made available in the current year to the Garda to fight crime, how does the Minister justify the fact that the 1978 Vote for Garda equipment shows a fall of almost £100,000?
This is a new area. I did not permit the Special Notice Question for the purpose of engendering argument.
I am in agreement that extra money should be made available to the gardaí in regard to equipment and technology, and apparently this is what the Minister suggests has been done. How can the Minister justify the fact that there was a substantial fall in real money terms in moneys made available to the gardaí for equipment?
I have not the 1978 Estimates with me because I did not anticipate a matter such as this arising on the question. In recent months the Government have made considerable additional sums available to the Garda Síochána, as is instanced by the very heavy recruitment of new gardaí and by the provision of over 300 additional members to the detective force. An examination of the 1979 Estimate at present in train would indicate that next year there will be a further substantial increase in the amount of money devoted to the Garda.
In regard to resources available to the Garda and bearing in mind a recent statement by the Minister for Justice that additional resources were being made available under the forensic heading, how can the Minister justify the fact that these additional resources, according to the Estimates, apparently relate to an increase from four to five in the forensic science laboratory? Would not the Minister agree that a far more concentrated effort is required in giving to the Garda technology and resources?
The Estimates to which the Deputy is referring were prepared a year ago.
If the Minister is answering on behalf of the Minister for Justice, surely I may expect a reasonable reply?
The Deputy is going into an area where we could have a debate for the next two days.
The Minister has not replied to my legitimate criticism. It seems that these moneys are not being made available to the Garda.
I join with the Minister and Deputy O'Keeffe in offering the sympathy of the House to the relatives and friends of the deceased person. Would not the Minister agree that there is widespread worry because of the deteriorating situation in regard to armed robberies and shootings——
We are dealing with a specific case on which I allowed a Special Notice Question. The Deputy may not raise a matter on which the Minister is not prepared to answer. It is a very wide field.
The Minister has been involved in the Department of Justice and he has been speaking here on behalf of the Minister for Justice. Is he aware of this worry and would he comment on the attitude of the Government?
I have ruled out the Deputy's supplementary.
I have a second point.
We have had enough. I am calling the next business.
I wish to raise a second point. Prior to last Christmas an adequate amount of overtime was allowed for gardaí——
The Deputy will resume his seat.
I wish to know if, in fact——
I will have to ask Deputy Enright to leave the House.
He wants to make a martyr of himself.
I want to know——
If Deputy Enright does not resume his seat I must ask the Minister to name him. I ask the Minister to propose that Deputy Enright be suspended from the service of the House.