Liz McManus
Question:132 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he intends to introduce new measures to deal with the problem of joyriding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7339/03]
Written Answers - Joyriding Offences.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:246 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he has taken to combat joyriding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7581/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:247 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of deaths arising from joyriding in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7582/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132, 246 and 247 together.
So-called joyriding is a complex problem which, while requiring significant inputs from the criminal justice system, can only be tackled to lasting effect through a multi-faceted and multi-agency response involving both the community and relevant statutory bodies. Speaking primarily from a criminal justice perspective, a number of proven strategies are already in place to tackle the worst manifestations of the problem.
First, targeted policing operations have been instituted by local Garda management in areas that have been identified as potential hotspots of joyriding. In particular, specialist Garda patrols and vehicles are concentrated in these hotspots, and they are often assisted by the Garda air support unit when required.
Second, members of the Garda Síochána regularly liaise with community groups in areas particularly prone to bouts of joyriding. Preventative projects are in operation in many of these areas to deal with those responsible, including both a network of 64 Garda youth diversion projects and a number of probation and welfare service projects, most notably the auto-crime diversion project in Cork City.
Third, the Garda Síochána and local authorities work together in relation to estate management and reducing the opportunities for joyriding. For example, physical changes such as barriers and speed ramps are used to reduce access to areas frequented by youths engaged in these activities.
Fourth, the Garda Síochána impounds vehicles without tax and insurance and removes them to car compounds. In the Dublin metropolitan region, there is a dedicated car compound located at the Talbot complex in Santry. Car compounds are also being provided at all newly built divisional-district Garda headquarters, wherever the site allows.
Fifth, in relation to so-called "company cars", the Department of the Environment and Local Government has been actively engaged with the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, the Irish Motor Vehicle Recyclers Association, the Metal Recyclers Association of Ireland and other concerned parties with a view to developing a producer responsibility initiative to implement the main provisions of European Parliament and Council Directive 2000/53/EC on end-of-life vehicles, or ELVs. A particular objective of the directive is to ensure that all ELVs are collected, dismantled and recovered by the industry in an environmentally sound manner at no cost to the final holder. My colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, is preparing appropriate legislative proposals which will be brought to Government shortly to support implementation of the detailed ELV recovery scheme consistent with the requirements of the directive.
Finally, I am informed by the Garda authorities that 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. The statistics requested on the number of deaths arising from joyriding in the past five years could not be compiled in the time available. I will, however, communicate with the Deputy directly in due course.