Vol. 518 No. 2
9 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the anti-joyriding measures he has initiated since coming into office; if he has satisfied himself with their effectiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11131/00]
38 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he will take to deal with joyriding which is causing problems in so many urban areas; his views on whether the powers available to the Garda to deal with the phenomenon are adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11196/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 38 together.
I am aware of the damage done to local communities by the scourge of joyriding. My approach to tackling joyriding, and indeed all crime, is threefold: 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.
I have been assured by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that the provisions of the Road Traffics Acts, 1961-93, as enforced by them are adequate to deal with situations where persons use or take possession of mechanically propelled vehicles without the consent of the owner. Any amendment to road traffic legislation is a matter for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government who is responsible for all road traffic legislation. I am determined to see that the gardaí have all the necessary resources they need to tackle crime effectively. There are now 600 more gardaí in the force than when I came into office. The Garda fleet has also increased substantially.
A number of measures specifically targeted at reducing the incidence of joyriding are also in place. I am informed by the Garda authorities that special foot and mobile patrols, targeting specific areas, are in place in response to identified local requirements. All vehicles the subject of unauthorised takings are technically examined when recovered and known offenders are targeted for these offences. The Garda air support unit has been particularly effective in this area and has assisted in the recovery of over 100 vehicles and made 194 arrests in 1998. Some of the arrests related to unauthorised taking of MPVs. I understand that they assisted in the recovery of stolen vehicles and that the arrest rate has been maintained for 1999 and to date this year, though these figures are not yet published.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that special plain clothes patrols concentrating on identifying cars, not subject to unauthorised taking, but that could be seized under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994, is showing some success. Each division also has a traffic unit which, outside of peak traffic hours, target incidents of joyriding and enforcement of section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994. I am also informed that the stinger device was used on 29 occasions during the years 1997 and 1998.
In relation to Garda liaison with community groups and the attempts being made to deter joyriders, a number of projects are in operation which deal with this aspect of youth crime and which have proved valuable in identifying offenders. In Coolock, for example, joyriders have been referred to one of the Garda youth diversion projects funded by my Department. Similarly, in the south inner city, youths who come to the attention of the gardaí are referred to City Motor Sports where various motor appreciation courses are run.
In relation to estate management and reducing the opportunities for joyriding, I understand that co-operation between the gardaí and local authorities is ongoing with a view to effecting physical changes, such as barriers and speed ramps to reduce access to areas frequented by youths engaged in these activities.
Some of the local responses to joyriding include Operation Steering Wheel, which was developed by the Garda authorities to deal specifically with the problem of joyriding in Coolock. The operation is ongoing and comprises uniform, foot and mobile patrols targeting specific locations on a nightly basis. Gardaí are also involved in a task force to address the problem in the Coolock area. A special resource unit comprising one sergeant and eight gardaí was established to specifically target incidents of joyriding in west Tallaght.
There is plenty of evidence that the Government takes youth crime seriously and that it has put in place a comprehensive range of measures to address it. To begin with, as everyone in the House will be aware, the level of resources the Government has made available for youth facilities and services in Dublin is proof of its determination to tackle the root causes of social deprivation and youth crime. In the longer term, the Children Bill, 1999, which is at present before the House, provides for the development of a new juvenile justice system and contains many innovative measures for dealing with young offenders.
I have invested considerable resources in a network of Garda youth diversion projects since coming to office. I have increased the number of these projects from 12 to 29, and there are a number of proposals for other projects before my Department to expand the number over the life of the national development plan. The projects are tangible crime prevention measures and are run in conjunction with youth organisations.
I am fully aware of the damage, both mental and physical, that joyriding inflicts on community life. However, I have complete confidence in the range of measures being developed by the Garda Síochána to combat the problem and to discharge its role in maintaining law and order.
Will the Minister address the issue of so-called "company cars" as opposed to stolen cars? The large number of scrapped cars driven by groups of youngsters, who buy them as "company cars" for perhaps £30 is a recent phenom enon. Following the Private Members' debate last week and the contributions by many urban Members, including several members of the Minister's party, has the Minister had any discussions with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government with a view to taking a joint approach to this serious problem which is afflicting a large number of urban areas and, if so, what has been the outcome? What percentage of Garda cars in urban areas have stingers? Many of us hear complaints from gardaí that an inadequate number of stingers is available to them.
It is important to deal with the issue of so-called "company cars" being sold cheaply to under-age drivers and Deputy Shortall has raised a relevant point in this regard. I understand from the Garda Síochána that there is no evidence to suggest that car owners of aged vehicles are selling them to youths for nominal sums and that these are subsequently used in joyriding.
However, there are rumours that owners of vehicles that are unlikely to pass the national car test scheme leave them in public places in the hope that they will be stolen. Even if these are unfounded – I am not saying they are – perhaps some car owners need to be reminded that they cannot abandon their aged vehicles in the hope that they will go away of their own accord. The days of the James Bond cars are more or less over, if they were ever there. A degree of personal responsibility goes with car ownership which includes ensuring that aged vehicles are properly and legally disposed of.
Bizarre situations can arise where joyriders have paid for so-called "company cars" which have not been reported stolen. If they race them on private property the legal position regarding the laws they break is confusing. I understand there is a suggestion before Dublin South County Council that a collection day should be introduced for such vehicles where they would be removed at the request of the owners, thus reducing the number of cars available for joyriding or for sale as so-called "company cars". It is suggested that insurance companies should also be involved in facilitating the disposal of such vehicles and that is something I would encourage.
In late 1998 the Department of the Environment and Local Government invited the Society of the Irish Motor Industry to submit proposals for a producer responsibility initiative relating to scrapped cars which would take account of the objectives and targets outlined in the proposed EU directive on end of life vehicles. I understand the Minister for the Environment and Local Government will shortly respond to the SIMI on its initial proposals for an ELV management system for Ireland and will seek an early discussion to make progress in the area to achieve the objective of securing an agreement on an acceptable vehicle recovery scheme soon. I trust that answers Deputy Shortall's question whether I had discussions with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government.
Regarding the number of stingers available, I am informed by the Garda Síochána that it is satisfied with the resources available to it, including stingers. However, it must be realised that stingers can only be used in certain circumstances and it is a matter for the judgment of the Garda Síochána at a given location on a given day or night as to whether they should be used.
Is the Minister aware that the Garda has ample evidence to show that the problem stems from the supply of unwanted cars and that there are many unscrupulous car dealers making cars available to youngsters for £25 to £30? Does the Minister agree that what is needed is for firm action to be taken against such dealers? Many of them are well known to the Garda, especially in the Dublin area, and a handful supply the vast bulk of these company cars in the Dublin area. Will the Minister take up this issue with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to ensure a strict approach is taken by both Ministers to tackle this problem once and for all before more people are killed?
I will raise the matter with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government in the terms Deputy Shortall suggested. Long before the concept of so-called company cars came on the scene, there was a problem with so-called joyriding, on the streets of specific areas of Dublin especially.
Not on this scale.
The scale of the problem seems to vacillate and there is a problem with the scale at present which must be addressed. While I accept that, statistics appear to indicate that the level of so-called joyriding vacillates and is not static.
That is not much consolation to the people who are scourged by this problem.
It is of little consolation to people who are scourged by this problem to bark out a statement without listening to something constructive which might assist in resolving the problem.
We want action, not denial.
Specific measures are being taken by the Garda Síochána. If the Deputy prefers to listen to the sound of her own voice, there is little I can do about that.
We are waiting to hear from the Minister.
Does Deputy Shortall have a question?
Yes, I have. Will the Minister outline what steps are being taken in light of the information he was given during the debate on Private Members' time last week? This is a serious problem in urban areas and many communities are under siege because of the problem of joyriding. The Minister seems to be unconcerned about the effect it has on communities. Will he take urgent action with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to tackle this problem before more people are injured or killed?
I sometimes believe that Deputy Shortall looks at me through blinkers. The Garda Síochána has the power and resources to deal with the problem. I am informed by the Garda authorities that certain measures have been taken. There are higher visibility patrols in urban areas and gardaí are using the vehicle stopping device, know as the stinger, to which I and Deputy Shortall referred. The Garda has the power under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994, to stop and seize vehicles it believes to be driven by underage drivers. It liaises with local authorities on traffic management issues, with the result that traffic calming measures are introduced in urban areas or will be where they have not been.
The Garda is deeply conscious of the need to try to engage public support and that is why it will continue to meet with local groups concerned about anti-social activities. If Deputy Shortall is aware of groups she wishes the Garda to meet, we will be only too delighted to facilitate her. The Garda will not let up in its continuing campaign against joyriding, an issue which I take extremely seriously.
The Minister should tackle the supply because that is the problem.
