Written Answers. - Law and Order Policy.
Ivor Callely
Question:
9
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Justice
the policies, if any, she has to meet the needs of our changing society in relation to law and order; the plans, if any, she has in this regard for the next two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[10292/95]
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, as Minister for Justice, I am responsible for a wide brief which includes all aspects of the criminal justice system.
As the question which the Deputy has asked relates to these aspects, my response to the question will have to be quite long.
On the implications of the peace process for my Deparment, it is my intention to seek to harness the opportunities offered by the developing peace process. Consolidating progress towards peace and reconciliation in Ireland is the primary task the Government has set itself. My Department is actively engaged in that process which has already involved the ending of the state of emergency. I will also proceed with the review of all legislation and court arrangements associated with the management of the conflict in the last 25 years.
Consolidation of the peace process will also create opportunities to redeploy scarce Garda resources from exclusively security related duties to other pressing needs such as the fight against drugs and organised criminal gangs. I will work with the Garda authorities to ensure that where desirable, and where the security situation allows, those opportunities are realised taking account of the policing needs of all the areas concerned as well as the needs of the Force.
My other main responsibilities in the law and order area relate to the Government's response to the existing crime situation; ensuring the enforcement of the law; ensuring that the gardaí have adequate pesonnel and resources to enforce the law and to protect the citizens of the State; providing an effective courts system; updating and framing criminal legislation and the treatment of offenders, both in the community and in our prisons.
The Deputy will, no doubt, be aware of the comprehensive package of law and order measures which were drawn up by my Department on foot of the recommendations included in the Corporate Strategy Document which the Garda Commissioner presented to the Minister for Justice in 1994. These measures were designed to help the forces of law and order, particularly the Garda, the Prison Service and the Courts, to deal with the needs of a changing society.
Specific measures in this regard, included in this package, were: the recruitment of over 1,000 new gardaí over a three year period; the recruitment of 200 additional civilian employees to release an equivalent number of gardaí for operational reasons; the installation of closed circuit television cameras as an aid to policing to combat city centre crime; providing an additional 210 prison places, recruiting 50 additional probation and welfare officers and support staff over a three year period; providing additional facilities for the probation and welfare service; and the appointment of three additional judges and support staff.
I am confident these measures, some of which are now coming to fruition, will be significant help to the forces of law and order over the next few years.
I regard as a particular priority the need to properly address the drugs situation, because I believe that drugs are at the root of most crimes being committed today.
My Department has prepared a report on important aspects of law enforcement in relation to this area and I will bring proposals to Government based on the report as soon as possible. These proposals will cover putting in place the best arrangements for achieving a cohesive and co-ordinated response to the drug trafficking problem by the existing law enforcement agencies, the need for legislative changes to assist the law enforcement response and the contribution in the health and education areas in developing strategies to reduce demand for drugs. These proposals represent the most comprehensive set of measures ever to be put in place to tackle the drugs problem and, as such, will provide the framework for dealing with the problem for years to come.
In order to successfully deal with crime, we must address the fundamental causes of crime. In this context. I am heartened by the success of a number of youth diversion projects which my Department, the Garda Síochána and the Probation and Welfare Service are involved with local businesses and community groups. These projects are aimed at identifying young persons in danger of becoming involved in crime and diverting them away from crime. This approach is in line with the thinking outlined in the report of the Interdepartmental Group on Urban Crime and Disorder which recognised the needs of our changing society. This type of initiative is very worthwhile and I will provide additional funding over the next few years to maintain and extend these projects.
With regard to the approach to the management of offenders, I should like to draw the Deputy's attention to my Department's policy document "The Management of Offenders — A Five Year Plan" published in 1994 which set out a comprehensive strategy to the whole spectrum of offender management. I am satisfied that implementation of the strategy in this five year plan will be an adequate response to the demands of our changing society in this particular field.
Modern approaches to sentencing suggest that, as far as possible, prison should be avoided in favour of community sanctions and measures. Those sentenced to a term in prison are likely in the future to have a need for more specialised help if they are to be encouraged to lead constructive lives on release. Above all, of course, there will be a need to have sufficient prison places to accommodate those criminals for whom prison is the only option and from whom the public must be protected.
I am very concerned by delays in the hearing of cases in the Courts. The present level of these delays is too high. In this context, I am reviewing the provisions of the Courts and Court Officers Bill, 1994 which has remained before the Dáil since the change of Government to ensure that the measures it contains will adequately address the need to tackle the backlog of cases to be heard in the Courts. I expect to be in a position to proceed with my own proposals in this regard shortly.
With regard to legislative developments, I am sure the Deputy is aware of the major legislative programme which I have under way in the area of criminal law reform, details of which I have already given to the House. This will include Bills dealing with court procedures, juvenile justice, fraud, insanity, non-fatal offences and powers of arrest. This programme will continue the process of ensuring that the Garda and the courts have comprehensive and effective powers available to deal with the modern realities of crime.
The policies of my Department are kept under review to ensure that they meet with changes in crime trends or the needs of changing society in so far as my Department can meet those needs. In conclusion, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to taking whatever reasonable measures are required to ensure the security and safety of all our citizens and their property.
