Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 4

Written Answers. - Crime Prevention.

Willie Penrose

Question:

209 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his response to a resolution passed by South Dublin County Council regarding joyriding and anti-social activity and a meeting which took place between the senior members of the Garda and South Dublin County Council on 15 December 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2730/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that as a result of the resolution passed by South Dublin County Council on 10 November 1999 representatives from the relevant agencies attended a meeting at the county manager's office on 19 November 1999. The Garda Síochána was represented by the two chief superintendents with management responsibilities in the county. At that meeting a draft action plan was formulated and it was agreed that a steering group and a working group would be established to co-ordinate the responses of the agencies tasked with responding to the problems identified in south County Dublin.

On 15 December a further meeting was held. The Garda Síochána was represented by the Garda Commissioner, the assistant commissioner responsible for the Dublin metropolitan region, the divisional officers from DMR south and DMR west and the superintendent with responsibility for the Tallaght district. At this meeting it was decided that the divisional officer DMR south and the district officer Tallaght would represent the Garda Síochána on the two committees to be established in the immediate future and tasked with providing a co-ordinated response to problems identified in the south County Dublin area. Meetings of the working group and steering group are scheduled to take place this month.

I am assured by the Garda authorities that the strategies currently in place to combat joyriding are reviewed periodically and changes to tactics are made where necessary to ensure continued effectiveness.

In addition, I have recently written to South Dublin County Council and departmental officials have also been in contact with South Dublin County Council officials in relation to this matter.