Vol. 508 No. 1
546 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to give additional powers and resources to local authorities to confront the problem of anti-social activity and under-age drinking; the discussions, if any, he has had with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17260/99]
Local authorities have powers under the Local Government Act, 1994, to make by-laws regulating use of facilities they provide, including public parks, and these by-laws generally specify offences and penalties. The presence of local authority parks staff acts as a deterrent to breaches of the by-laws and they can also take enforcement action. However, in cases of public order infringements to which I suspect the Deputy is referring, the more appropriate enforcement agency is the Garda; the 1994 Act specifically provides for Garda enforcement. The Deputy will be aware that public parks are a local authority responsibility and specific problems associated with them requiring Garda attention would be a matter for liaison between the local authority concerned and the Garda.
I should add that I intend to introduce a community warden service in local authorities, initially on a pilot basis. Preliminary discussions have taken place with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the role of these wardens and on the design of the new service.
