David Andrews
Question:8 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he will increase funding for the victim support group in view of the recent attacks on tourists visiting Ireland. [10931/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Crime Against Tourists.
It is generally recognised that the setting up of the Dublin Tourist Victim Support Service in April of last year has played a valuable role in counteracting the problem of crime against tourists. The service provides emotional and practical support to tourist victims. Following my recent meeting with the board of management of the service, and in the light of its positive contribution to tourism, I doubled my Department's support for it from £5,000 in 1994 to £10,000 in 1995. I am sure the Deputy will join with me in applauding the service, and those associated with it, on the magnificent job they have done to date.
Notwithstanding the extensive media coverage given to the recent deplorable attack on an Australian tourist, there is no evidence to suggest that there has been an increase in crime against tourists this year compared to 1994. This is to be welcomed, especially when put in the context of the continually high growth in tourism visitor numbers coming to this country.
I join with the Minister in applauding the Dublin Tourist Victim Support Service on the work it has done but would not get carried away with the increase in subvention to this excellent organisation from £5,000 to £10,000. Like the Minister, I deplore the attack on the Australian tourist in Galway city in recent days and welcome his assurance that he will attend to the touristic requirements of the individual concerned on her return to Ireland but I would not like the message to go from this House that Galway is not a safe city. I know it well and have come to appreciate its ambience as a city of culture with an important heritage. It is one of the finest cities in Europe. While this attack was unfortunate is it not indicative that a young woman could not walk home alone at night in safety? Does the Minister propose to take any additional measures to prevent such attacks?
I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy that Galway city and vast parts of the country are safe both for visitors and natives alike. The overall response should be that while Ireland is a safe and friendly destination people should take reasonable precautions as they would in any other country in the world and, in relation to Dublin, they should take the precautions they would take in any other city of similar size.
I commend the Australian tourist involved in this incident, Catriona McCormack, for putting the matter in context in a fair, balanced and courageous way. She said that she had travelled in many countries and that this incident could have happened anywhere. It was unfortunate and most unusual and something we all deplore. It was one incident too many.
The Deputy asked if I propose to take any additional measures. In response to a similar question on a previous occasion I referred to the attempts being made by the tourist information services, the Garda Síochána, tour operators and tourism promoters abroad. We cannot give too much publicity to the minority of incidents which occur when we are in competition with other countries where the number of incidents involving tourists is much higher. For instance, in Amsterdam, 10 per cent of tourists are involved in incidents. This is an extremely high crime rate. I agree with the Deputy therefore that vast parts of the country are safe and that it provides a wonderful welcome to our visitors. We should ensure in so far as we can that they take reasonable precautions.
I welcome the relocation of 20 members of the Garda Síochána from the Border in recent days. Will the Minister try to ensure, as part of the peace process bonus, that more gardai are withdrawn and relocated not only in Dublin but other locations? While I agree that we can talk ourselves into a crisis we have a function, duty and responsibility to ensure the safety of visitors to this country and natives who visit tourist attractions on this island.
I understand, unfortunately, that some 300 to 400 visitors have either been injured or interfered with since the beginning of the year. Those figures must be reduced. Will the Minister give us an assurance that this will happen? One way of doing this is to ensure more Garda foot patrols and by relocating more gardaí from the Border in places where they are required in the national interest.
I have spoken to the Minister for Justice about Garda foot patrols. I welcome the decision to move 20 gardaí from the Border. I am sure the Minister for Justice is in consultation with the Garda Commissioner who has responsibility for this matter. Perhaps he will consider the question of the redeployment of staff.
According to recent media reports 800 crimes against tourists were committed in the first five months of this year. According to the Department of Justice, the number of reported crimes or incidents was 912 as compared to 906 in the first five months of 1994. However, when we compare this figure against the increasing numbers of visitors the decrease is more significant than it appears. About 10 per cent would have been seen by the Dublin Tourist Victim Support Service and very few of these would have been involved in serious incidents. As I indicated previously, 0.005 per cent, or one in every 150,000 visitors, is involved in an incident where violence is used. That is the reason I again deplore the incident that occurred in Galway last week. Those are the official figures.
Has the Minister met, separately or together, representatives of Bord Fáilte and the regional tourism organisations as well as the Minister for Justice and, if so, how many times?
I have discussed this question, among other matters, with the chairmen and chief executives of the regional tourism organisations. I have also met the Minister for Justice on a number of occasions not only to discuss this but a range of other matters. I am in constant contact with Bord Fáilte. I may consider, with the Minister for Justice, relaunching the Dublin Tourist Victim Support Service in an effort to further promote it and to make everyone aware that we are serious about this matter.
The bottom line is that visitors to this country should take reasonable precautions as they would in any other country. As the Deputy has rightly pointed out, this is a wonderful country and we value its perception abroad as a friendly environment in which to take a holiday. We hope to keep it that way.
We have but 11 minutes left to deal with the four remaining priority questions. I would like to facilitate all four Deputies and, therefore, brevity would be appreciated.