Roger T. Garland
Question:59 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Justice when he intends to hold the summit on crime.
Written Answers. - Summit on Crime.
I indicated last April that I intended to hold a high-level conference involving the law enforcement agencies in relation to the growing problem of urban crime when I had received the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on Urban Crime. I expect to receive that report in the near future.
In the meantime, however, I have taken a number of important initiatives in this area. Apart from on-going consultations with the Garda Commissioner in relation to crime problems generally, I held high-level conferences with senior gardaí and officials from my Department to discuss the drugs problem and crime in Dublin city centre. At those meetings I gave my full backing to the Garda authorities to the use of all the resources necessary to tackle these problems. I have also announced proposals for legislation to tackle certain aspects of urban crime that are of particular concern. This legislation will increase the powers available to the gardaí in dealing with such crime.
In addition I have just hosted an important national conference dealing with issues relating to crimes of violence against women. When I have received and considered the Inter-Departmental Committee's Report on Urban Crime I will decide on what action, including the question of holding a conference, requires to be taken in relation to its implementation.