Vol. 534 No. 5
6 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the initiatives he proposes to take to protect from attack bus drivers who provide a bus service to the Tallaght area and to secure the safety of bus drivers and law abiding residents of Tallaght. [10900/01]
24 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will meet with Dublin Bus drivers in connection with the ongoing curtailment of the bus service to west Tallaght, Dublin 24, to discuss the need for additional security for such drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10898/01]
181 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the initiatives he proposes to take to protect bus drivers from attack who provide a bus service to the Tallaght area and to secure the safety of bus drivers and law abiding residents of Tallaght. [11126/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 24 and 181 together.
As Questions Nos. 6 and 24 are Oral Questions, not more than 12 minutes will be allocated to them.
I am very concerned that lawlessness from a small number of youths can curtail much needed bus services to the Tallaght area. As the House will be aware, I have placed a high priority on promoting measures to deal with youth crime and have increased the number of Garda youth diversion projects from 12 when I took office in 1997 to the present day when there are 51 in operation throughout the country. I can inform the House that there are two such projects operating in the west Tallaght area. Furthermore, the Children Bill, 1999, which is currently before the Oireachtas, will have a significant effect on public order offences caused by young people.
In relation to the issues mentioned by the Deputies, I am informed by the Garda authorities that following a conference at Tallaght Garda station on 5 April 2001, an operation named Operation Saferoute was set up to monitor and give specific attention to buses in the Tallaght area. The operation has a particular emphasis on west Tallaght and, in particular, the 77, 56A and 76 bus routes. I understand that the operation will be in place daily from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight.
I am further informed that following a meeting on Friday, 6 April 2001, with representatives from SIPTU, the NBRU, Dublin Bus and Garda management, all buses serving the west Tallaght area resumed service on 6 April 2001. Increased Garda patrols are operating in this area as part of Operation Saferoute.
Garda management have maintained an open line of communication with Dublin Bus and the drivers. I understand that a review of increased security measures will take place on Friday next, 13 April, and that the drivers will subsequently be balloted on the proposals. In the circumstances, I trust Deputies will appreciate that the situation has improved.
Does the Minister not accept that the fact that an entire part of the public transport system which services 10,000 homes in my constituency was lost for over one week is further evidence that his policies in this area are not working? Surely the fact that the actions of a small group of youths could bring this about is further evidence that his policies on zero tolerance are failing. Does the Minister accept that? Does he not also accept that my community is discriminated against in terms of the number of Garda personnel stationed there? Limerick, which has a population similar to that of Tallaght, has 293 Garda while my community has 159. Will the Minister immediately reverse his policy of deliberately discriminating against urban communities in Dublin where there is a need for increased numbers of gardaí on the streets?
Does the Minister accept that it is his responsibility to ensure passenger safety on Dublin Bus vehicles or is that a matter of internal security for the company? Clarification is needed in that regard.
I must first state that a considerable number of gardaí have been diverted from their regular duties to deal with the foot and mouth crisis. In all, in excess of 1,300 gardaí have been sent to the Border or to other areas throughout the country to carry out duties directly related to the crisis. I am sure Members will appreciate the necessity for this.
It is a matter of deep regret that a number of young thugs should behave as they did in this instance. However, the Deputy will accept that the authorities acted speedily with a view to rectifying the situation. It is a matter of regret that any community should have been subjected to this kind of blackguardism and thuggery over a period.
Twice in three months.
However, I trust that the measures which have been put in place will be successful.
With regard to the issue of zero tolerance, I do not want to rehearse the arguments again but, in the context of what happened in Tallaght, the situation is that the number of gardaí has been increased since we entered office from 10,800 to 11,800.
The Minister's minute is up, he should conclude.
The number of gardaí stationed at Tallaght Garda station increased from 138 in April 1998 to 159 on 31 December 2000.
On a point of order, Sir, the Minister's time is concluded. The same rules apply to Members on both sides of the House on Question time.
The Tallaght area is also patrolled by the divisional traffic unit based at Terenure, which had a strength, as of 1 March, of 14 members of all ranks, two of whom are drawn from Tallaght Garda station.
Will the Minister try to answer the questions I posed?
That would be a first.
Does the Minister not accept that it is his responsibility to ensure passenger and driver safety on the Dublin Bus transport system? Is it his responsibility to do so or is it a matter of internal security for Dublin Bus? As I asked during Question Time a month ago, why has the Minister arrogantly refused to meet the public transport users' forum one month ago to discuss the problems that affect my constituency?
It is obviously the primary responsibility of any carrier to ensure that the people it is carrying on a given vehicle are safe. It is the objective and duty of the Garda Síochána to enforce the law of the land and it is a matter for the courts to imprison those who break that law.
We do not have sufficient numbers of gardaí.
We now have sufficient prison places to cater for those found guilty of offences.
Tallaght has the same population as Limerick but only half the number of gardaí.
Deputy Hayes should allow the Minister to conclude.
I have indicated to Deputy Conor Lenihan, who discussed this matter with me on a number of occasions in private and in a sincere manner—
The Minister would want to give Deputy Lenihan a compass and a map.
—that I would be happy to meet bus drivers' representatives.
So the Minister is changing his position.
The Minister has answered my question in part. I am glad to state that he has been very co-operative on foot of private representations I made to him on this matter.
A question please, Deputy.
However, I am sure he will confirm that he is willing to meet with the transport forum, the Garda Síochána and all of the representative groups if that is desirable.
A question please, Deputy.
It is important that the Minister clarifies that the Garda Síochána acted with the utmost speed in respect of this matter.
It speaks for itself.
Deputy Lenihan spoke for the Minister.
Operation Saferoute, which, without question, appears to be working, includes provision for greater patrolling. There was a quick response from the authorities in relation to this matter and no amount of politicking or satirical sneering can disguise that fact.
Will the Minister authorise, on a pilot basis, the placing of uniformed gardaí on public transport in areas where attacks of this nature might occur? Is he satisfied that the divisional structure of the Garda Síochána in Dublin affords sufficient priority to Tallaght? Does he propose to have any discussions with the Commissioner in relation to the structural organisation of the Dublin metropolitan force and the allocation of manpower within it?
I have already indicated to the House that there has been a considerable increase in the number of gardaí allocated to Tallaght Garda station. I also indicated that certain measures were put in place by the Garda authorities in consultation with the various bodies involved. I further indicated that I am of the view that there was an expeditious response to this problem.
I did not ask questions on any of those matters.
I accept that we have experienced manpower difficulties in certain areas as a result of the foot and mouth crisis. Since the Government came to office, the number of gardaí has increased by 1,000. However, some 1,300 gardaí are carrying out duties, either on the Border or in other areas, which relate directly to the foot and mouth crisis. I would be in dereliction of my duty if I did not respond to requests from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development for assistance.
I assure Deputy Howlin that, as far as the Government is concerned, the Garda Síochána will always be encouraged to ensure that resources are deployed to the areas of greatest need. It must be remembered, however, that the Garda Commissioner, not the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is responsible for deployment and other operational matters.
Will the Minister allow gardaí to be placed on buses?
I answered that.
No, the Minister did not.
Does the Minister not accept that there would be a public outcry if DART services were halted for one week? It took over a week for the public transport system to re-engage with the community I represent in west Tallaght. Does the Minister accept that he was slow in bringing this matter to the attention to the Garda and in demanding a response? Is he now confirming to the House that he is about to do a U-turn and meet representatives of the transport users' group who have been demanding such a meeting since this situation first developed three months ago?
The authorities involved in the criminal justice system have certainly re-engaged with the people of Tallaght since the demise of the Rainbow Coalition.
This is old bluster.
I explained to Deputy Lenihan on a number of occasions that I would be happy to meet representatives of the bus drivers. I hope crime rates will continue to fall at the fast rate at which they are falling.
This is an unbelievable performance.
