Vol. 562 No. 4
385 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has had discussions with the Garda authorities regarding the upsurge of so-called joyriding in Dublin; and the new measures they propose to introduce to combat this increasing danger to the public. [6179/03]
The Garda authorities keep me informed on an ongoing basis of the problem of joyriding. A number of strategies are in place to tackle the problem. Targeted operations have been put in place by local Garda management in areas that have been identified as potential hotspots for joyriding. Specialist patrols and vehicles are concentrated in these areas to deal with public order and joyriding incidents. The Garda constantly liaises with community groups and a number of projects in operation have proved valuable in dealing with offenders.
The Garda and local authorities work together on estate management and reducing the opportunities for joyriding. Physical changes such as barriers and speed ramps are being used to reduce access to areas frequented by youths engaged in these activities. Cars without taxation and insurance are impounded by the Garda and removed to compounds. In the Dublin metropolitan region, there is a dedicated car compound located at the Talbot complex in Santry. Car compounds are provided at newly built divisional and district headquarters if there is enough space on the site.
In relation to abandoned cars, the Waste Management Act 1996 specifically prohibits the abandonment of vehicles on any land and empowers local authorities to deal appropriately with the abandoned vehicles. The enforcement and implementation of these provisions is a matter for the individual local authorities. I understand that, in general, the local authorities that provide this service have entered into agreements with locally permitted operators to take the vehicles in question for dismantling and-or recovery.
I am assured by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts, 1961 to 2002, are adequate to deal with situations where persons use or take possession of mechanically propelled vehicles without the consent of the owner. This is a complex issue which has resulted in tragedy for several families in recent times. While requiring significant inputs from the criminal justice system, this issue can only be tackled to lasting effect through a multi-faceted and multi-agency response involving both the community and relevant statutory bodies.
