Brian O'Shea
Question:67 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide statistical evidence of the successes, if any, of zero tolerance. [20264/98]
Written Answers. - Zero Tolerance Policy.
The signs of success of zero tolerance are promising as evidenced by the trend emerging from the Garda Síochána crime statistics which show that indictable offences, since this Government took office, were down by approximately 11 per cent on the previous 12 month period. The detection rate during that time was 41 per cent.
I have outlined before in the House what is involved in the concept of zero tolerance. There are three essential components to the Government's zero tolerance approach to crime. First, a clear and determined focus on tackling those who are engaged in crime. Second, a determination that the law enforcement agencies will be properly equipped and resourced to deal with crime and third, a commitment to address, and where possible to ameliorate, the causes of crime.
As regards the targeting of particular criminal activity, the Deputy will be aware of the Criminal Justice Bill, 1997, which is before the House. This is clear, practical evidence of the Government's policy of zero tolerance towards crime; particularly, but not exclusively, towards drug trafficking. The Bill contains a series of very strong measures which are, regrettably, all too necessary as a response to those who inflict such harm on our community.
An aggressive policy is being pursued by the Garda Síochána in obtaining evidence to bring drug traffickers before the courts. This has led to significant seizures of illegal drugs, the disruption of organised networks and the charging of major criminals.
I am also conscious that any long-term anti-crime policy must engage local communities in co-operation with the Garda Síochána. In order to elicit the views of the public, I established a National Crime Forum which held public sessions in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Sligo during the year. This has given a unique opportunity to the public to contribute openly to the debate on the wide range of issues which impact on crime and I look forward to receiving the report of the forum in due course. I also intend to establish a permanent community-based crime council to continue this open approach to crime policy development and I will also be publishing a White Paper next year to address the priority issues.
The Deputy will be aware that the Courts Services Act, 1998, was signed into law on 16 April 1998, thus establishing an independent Courts Service. I am pursuing a similar course of action in the case of prisons and a fundamental review of the Probation and Welfare Service is also under way. As the Deputy may be aware the process of implementing the recommendations of an SMI review of the Garda Síochána is also under way.
This year has also seen the introduction of a witness security programme in the area of serious organised crime, most notably in the drugs and money laundering areas. The programme ensures that the criminal justice system can take prosecutions in cases which, by their very nature, attract the most serious and hardened of criminals.
The Deputy will be aware also that the most extensive prisons building programme ever undertaken in the history of the State is under way and that there is also a firm commitment to raise the strength of the Garda to 12,000 within the lifetime of this Government.
The approach being taken, therefore, is a wide ranging and cohesive one which seeks to tackle various categories of criminals and to address the underlying causes of crime.