I am aware the Minister replied to a debate in the Seanad last week in regard to the problem of attacks on tourists. However, I sought to raise this urgent matter three weeks ago on the Adjournment. I referred to the problem of attacks on tourists during Question Time in March and in the debate on the Estimate for the Department of Tourism and Trade in the Select Committee meeting in the Seanad Chamber on June 4. Since March a number of attacks have been made on tourists in this city and county. No part of the city could be declared absolutely safe.
I will instance some of those cases. A Finnish tourist had a bag containing a video camera, a camera, cassettes, clothing and money, the contents of which were valued at £2,300 snatched by a cyclist as he walked with a companion in O'Connell Street. A German visitor had his nose broken when he was punched in the face in O'Connell Street. Four Austrians, having just arrived in the country, had camera equipment and clothing worth £1,500 stolen from their hired car parked in Werburgh Street but happily in this case the gardaí arrested a 27 year-old man and recovered the property. An Italian man who fell asleep in his car at Bull Alley in the south inner city was robbed of £2,000 in cash and £400 worth of property while he slept. A Chilean woman tourist was knocked to the ground by two thugs in Railway Street and robbed of $600. Recently two new Zealand tourists were set upon by a gang in Rutland Street and robbed of £1,200 and some property and one of the women suffered a broken collar-bone in the attack. An American judge was attacked near her hotel at Christchurch Place.
Those are some of the instances of attacks on tourists and they include attacks on a wide range of nationalities. I am sure those tourists were disappointed and angry leaving Ireland and I have no doubt if they communicate with the media in their home countries they will give a negative impression of this country.
On 30 March when I raised this issue during Question Time the Minister outlined a number of measures to deal with the problem. They included the deployment of additional Garda patrols, both uniformed and plain clothes, during the summer months to areas frequented by tourists and the provision and distribution of an information leaflet containing practical advice on how visitors to this country can protect their property and personal belongings.
A recent survey of visitors interviewed outside the tourist information office in O'Connell Street revealed that most tourists are unaware that they need to take precautions for their safety when visiting Ireland. The distribution of information at access points to Ireland must be improved if it is to be effective as it is obvious that tourists are not receiving this information.
Will the Minister indicate if the promised Garda patrols are now in place or are they affected by Circular 134/18/91 issued last November? This directive is being marketed by Garda management as deploying more gardaí for street duty. I understand this is not the case as the volume of paperwork in Garda stations has increased with the result that more Garda time is being taken up. Much Garda time is also taken up attending court and, consequently, there is a reduction in the numbers of gardaí patrolling the streets.
It is suggested that some criminals are competing to see how many times they will be detained in a 24 hour period. Where evidence is readily available, as in the case of burglaries, larcenies, muggings, assaults, etc., charges should be immediately brought. Under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 further crimes committed by offenders while on bail will be nullified. That is not what was intended by the Oireachtas when it passed this legislation. The directive states, "the general rule should be that a charge should not be preferred until the investigation is complete". That is farcical. Obviously, offenders are not being brought before a court at present because of that directive and in many instances there are no detention places for them, particularly for young offenders. If offenders are brought to trial it could take up to 12 months before the case is heard by which time it is difficult to get the victims to return and give evidence.
The Minister, in her reply at Question Time, stated that provisions were included in the Criminal Evidence Act, 1992 which would allow a tourist, who is a victim of a crime, to make a statement before a District Court judge. This statement may be used as evidence without the need for the victim to attend a subsequent trial. Will the Minister indicate if those provisions are operating and, if so, are they proving effective?
Tourism is very important to our economy. It brings in most revenue. It is hoped to increase jobs in tourism by 35,000 in the next five years and to increase tourism revenue by approximately £500 million. If the reputation of our tourist industry is damaged by those acts it will create a negative image of our country. I am aware attacks on tourists are just part of the social problem in this city.
It is difficult to address the problem by controls and I appeal to the Minister, bearing in mind the vital role of tourism here, to take urgent action to protect not only tourists but also people who travel to Dublin from other parts of the country. I hope the Minister's response will be positive.
