asked the Minister for Justice the measures he intends to take to tackle the crime problem, in view of the trend reflected in the most recent report of the Garda Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the action he intends to take arising from the Commissioner's comments in the foreword to that report.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Report on Crime.
26.
The Deputy is persumably referring to the last published crime report which was in respect of the year 1978 and in which the Commissioner was able to record, firstly, that the total crime figure was down slightly as compared with the previous year and, secondly, that there was a small increase in the detection rate.
The wide ranging measures which are being taken to tackle the crime situation were outlined by me in contributions to debates in this House on 13 November last when I introduced a Garda Síochána Supplementary Estimate, on 13 June when I dealt with the Garda Síochána Estimate for this year, and on 29 April last when I spoke on a Private Members' motion on urban violence and vandalism.
When can we expect the 1979 report? Will the Minister refer as specifically as possible to the part of the question referring to the fifth paragraph in the foreword to the Commissioner's Report in which he referred to the disturbing increase in the incidence of violence and attacks on the person and so on?
I had hoped I would have had the report for 1979 long before now, and I am embarrassed not to have it. I hope to have it published, because it is for the good of everybody to have it published soon. I am still hoping I will have it before Christmas, but that is not the best time to publish a report if we are to have informed discussion and comment on it. In regard to the other part of the question, the Deputy will agree that I dealt at length with a number of areas in which we are making improvements and hoping to bring about better results when I spoke for one-and-a-half hours on 30 November last.
I accept the Minister's concern, but the figures show increasing violence and the most regrettable trend which must be tackled. No matter how long we talk about them, the figures belie our expressed concern. More needs to be done.
I accept that every Member of the House is concerned and should be concerned with the crime situation. The figure for total crime is down as compared with the previous year and there has been an increase in the detection rate. I hope that trend will be continued, as I know all Deputies do.
Can the Minister give us a reason why the report is being delayed and in what way this is embarrassing him?
The Deputy knows very well that the report is presented by the Garda to me, that in turn I present that report to the Government and that it is published. I still have not been given the report. It has not been presented to me.
That is the fact. I have asked for the reason.
The reason is that the report is not ready.
Why is it not ready?