Emmet Stagg
Question:189 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to introduce new measures to deal with the problem of joyriding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12796/03]
Written Answers. - Joyriding Offences.
Joyriding is a complex problem which, while requiring significant inputs from the criminal justice system, can only be tackled to lasting effect through a multifaceted and multi-agency response involving the community and relevant statutory bodies. A number of proven strategies are already in place to tackle the worst manifestations of the problem from a criminal justice perspective.
A number of targeted policing operations have been instituted by local Garda management in areas that have been identified as potential hotspots of joyriding. Specialist Garda patrols and vehicles are concentrated in these areas and they are often assisted by the Garda air support unit when required.
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 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.
The Garda 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.
The Garda impound vehicles without tax and insurance and remove 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.
In relation to 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. 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.
It is intended that the necessary legislative provisions to implement the directive will be incorporated, at an appropriate stage, in the Protection of the Environment Bill 2003. This Bill has been passed by the Seanad.
The Garda authorities consider the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2002 adequate to deal with situations where persons use or take possession of mechanically propelled vehicles without the consent of the owner.
Question No. 190 answered with Question No. 149.