David Andrews
Question:1 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the steps, if any, he proposes to take to allay the fears of potential visitors to Ireland concerning the real and escalating levels of crime against tourists. [8424/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Crimes against Tourists.
As I have indicated in response to previous similar Dáil questions the Minister for Justice has primary responsibility for tackling the problem of crime against tourists. As Minister with responsibility for tourism I am concerned at the level of crime against tourists and the damage that this can do to our hard earned reputation as an important and, in particular, friendly tourist destination. This concern is shared by my colleague, the Minister for Justice.
While final figures for 1994 are not yet available I understand from the Department of Justice that there has been a slight increase in the number of crimes committed against tourists in 1994 compared with 1993 for both the Dublin area and the country as a whole. While there are undoubtedly grounds for concern about the problem, it is important that we keep a sense of proportion. First, the increase has to be seen in the context of a significant increase in overseas visitor numbers in 1994. Second, the growth in crime is a worldwide phenomenon and Ireland rates very well in any international comparison. For example, less than 0.2 per cent of visitors to Dublin are victims of crime and this figure includes victims of petty crime.
A number of specific measures have been taken in recent years by the Garda, Bord Fáilte and other interests specifically to address the problem of crime against tourists. These include regular liaison between the Garda authorities, Bord Fáilte and other tourism interests; deployment of additional Garda patrols in areas of high tourist interest; establishment of a Garda office in O'Connell Street which acts as a centre for advising tourists on safety measures; distribution of safety leaflets in three languages and city maps, produced by the Garda, to tourists; increased level of foreign language training for gardaí; special provision in the Criminal Evidence Act, 1992, to enable tourist victims to make an immediate statement before a district judge, which eliminates the necessity to attend the subsequent trial; action by gardaí against illegal traffic wardens; setting up of a business watch scheme in Talbot Street — which may be extended to Grafton Street and Mary Street in 1995; and further measures to be taken by the Garda, Bord Fáilte and the tourism industry in 1995 to propagate "stay safe" messages.
The Dublin Tourist Victim Support Service, which was set up in April 1994 has also played a valuable role in counteracting the effect of crime against tourists. This service is run by the Victim Support Organisation, from premises provided by the Department of Justice in Harcourt Square. It provides emotional and practical support to tourist victims referred to it by the Garda. While essentially a Dublin service it will also assist victims referred from the regions.
The service has operated very successfully with a total of 301 visitors assisted in the 1994-95 season. A further positive feature of the service was that most of the clients assisted elected to continue their holiday despite their experience, with many promising to return.
I met the board of management of this service recently and in the light of its positive contribution to tourism, have decided to increase my Department's support for the service from £5,000 in 1994 to £10,000 this year.
I am grateful to the Minister for the comprehensive response to what he and the House would consider is an important question in the context of the safety of those people who are so valuable to this country. In a recent response the Minister indicated he was meeting with the Minister for Justice to discuss the core answer to this problem, the additional policing of the streets of the capital city. In the course of his reply the Minister mentioned that the Dublin Tourist Victim Support Service said that 80 per cent of crime against tourists takes place in the capital city. That is a shocking statistic. Will the Minister indicate whether it is the intention to solve this problem once and for all by — in addition to the measures he has put in place — additional policing of our streets; in other words foot policemen and women?
I agree with Deputy Andrews in that one crime against any visitor or any national in our country is one crime too many. This should be put in context. For example, in today's newspaper, on a survey carried out by Which magazine which dealt with 26,000 British holidaymakers, Ireland ranked very well in their perception of it not being a dangerous place. The most dangerous countries for muggings and attacks were Hungary, Poland, South Africa, Morocco, Gambia, Israel and Italy. I have spoken with the Minister for Justice who, I am assured, is in contact with the Garda Commissioner in respect of Deputy Andrew's question about extra patrols on the streets of Dublin where most crimes have occurred. I hope further progress on that issue can be made fairly soon.
I agree with the Minister. It is important that the message go out from this House that Ireland is not a dangerous place to visit, that it is a safe and welcoming place and that Dublin is a safe city relative to the other areas to which the Minister has referred. The Minister will agree that this is no consolation to the 301 people who availed of the service to which he referred in 1994-95. If tourists coming to Ireland from a foreign destination are robbed of their currency and are seriously injured, what remedies are available to them?
Obviously I would not like that to happen. It has happened in the past and that is why the victim support group was set up with an office in Harcourt Street. This may be extended to Talbot Street and Mary Street this year, and the list of measures taken by the Garda Síochána, Bord Fáilte and business interests in Dublin city centre has been relevant. We hope the continuing good message in this regard will result in a lessening of the small amount of crime that takes place. I share the Deputy's concern in that regard.
I accept what the Minister says and I believe he is doing his best. One cannot have a member of the Garda Síochána beside every tourist who comes into the country in anticipation of something that may or may not happen. Can the Minister say what remedies are available to foreign tourists who suffer the indignity of being robbed of their money and of being seriously or not so seriously injured?
There are initially two remedies available to tourists who fall victim to a mugging or other attack. In the first instance there is the Garda office in O'Connell Street which deals specifically in advising tourists on safety matters. Second, there is the Dublin Tourist Victim Support Service with an office provided by the Department of Justice, which may be extended this year and has in the past dealt with tourists who have been the unfortunate victims of attacks or muggings. The remedies include emotional support first and, in addition, restitution. In many cases, people who have called there have continued with their holidays and have promised to come back again.