The Deputy refers to the survey into public attitudes on crime and law enforcement which was conducted by TNS mrbi on behalf of my Department.
Looking at long- term crime trends, the level of headline crime in 2005 was lower than that in 2003 by 1.6% and that in 2002 by 4.4%. Furthermore, in 1995, when we had a population of almost 3.6 million, there were 29 crimes per 1,000 of the population, while in 2005, with a population of over 4.1 million, there were 24.6 crimes per 1,000 of the population. This represents a 15% decrease in crimes per 1,000 of the population.
I am determined that disturbing trends will be addressed as they are identified and, despite an increasing population, we should continue to enjoy relatively low crime rates. High on the Government's list of policing priorities for 2006, which have been incorporated into the Garda Síochána policing plan, is the continued targeting of organised crime, including drug trafficking and the gun culture associated with it through the use of specialist units and targeted, intelligence-led operations. Garda strategies are in place for dealing with drug offences which are designed to undermine the activities of organised criminal networks involved in the trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs. These strategies include gathering intelligence on individuals and organisations involved in the distribution of drugs, conducting targeted operations on criminal networks based on intelligence gathered and working in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, both within and outside the jurisdiction, to address the national and international aspects of drug trafficking and distribution. These strategies continue to result in operational successes.
While it is the case that a number of the increases in headline crime statistics reflect increased enforcement activity on the part of the Garda Síochána, the overall picture indicates there is no room for complacency. The Government's decision to continue to devote unprecedented resources to the fight against crime shows that it is not complacent, as does my insistence that those resources be deployed at the front line of policing in the State.
The Garda Síochána this year has the highest level of resources in its history. A sum of €1,290 million has been allocated, which is an increase of €146 million or 13% on 2005 and of over 100% on 1997. The provision for Garda overtime in 2006 is €83.5 million, which is an increase of €23 million on the allocation for 2005. This latter increase is greatly assisting the planned deployment of a visible policing service in a flexible, effective and targeted response to criminal activity and to crime prevention. The €83.5 million in overtime will yield 2.725 million extra hours of policing by uniformed and special units throughout the State.
Implementation is well advanced on the Government's decision of October 2004 to approve the recruitment of 2,000 additional gardaí to increase the strength of the force to 14,000. As a result, there will be a combined organisational strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 in 2006 and 14,000 attested gardaí in two years' time. The Commissioner is now drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources in the areas where they are most needed. I have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties but will be put directly into front line, operational, high-visibility policing. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the first group of newly attested gardaí under the accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March and a further 275 newly attested gardaí will come on stream every 90 days from here on in.
The Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is currently before the Select Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, provides a comprehensive package of anti-crime measures which will enhance the powers of the Garda Síochána in the investigation and prosecution of offences. It updates our laws to ensure that criminal offences can be investigated and prosecuted in a way which is efficient and fair and which meets the needs of modern society. It addresses such matters as the preservation of crime scenes, increased periods of detention in the case of arrestable offences, a general power of search in connection with all arrestable offences and powers for the Garda Síochána to issue search warrants in circumstances of urgency. The Bill also contains amendments to the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence) Act, 1990, with provision for a fixed penalty procedure in respect of certain lesser public order offences and the admissibility of statements by witnesses who subsequently refuse to testify or who retract their original statements.
It is widely acknowledged that our legislative provisions for tackling crime, especially serious and organised crime, is already one of the toughest in Europe. Nevertheless, I have brought forward a range of proposed additions to the Bill. Among these are the creation of criminal offences in connection with organised crime, the strengthening of provisions on the imposition of the ten year mandatory minimum sentence for drug trafficking, new offences of supplying drugs to prisons as well as provisions for the establishment of a drug offenders register, provisions for dealing with anti-social behaviour, and provision to deal with the Supreme Court decision that a judge could not issue warrants if he or she was outside his or her district. Further additions include new provisions to allow the courts to suspend or partially suspend or to adjourn sentences on conditions which will motivate the offender to stay away from crime, such as participation in drug treatment programmes and provision to allow for restriction of movement orders including electronic monitoring.
Due to my concern about firearms in general and in order to ensure public safety and security, I propose to bring forward a wide range of amendments to the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2000 in the context of the Criminal Justice Bill. Included in these new proposals are measures which will require all persons wishing to legally hold a firearm to satisfy the Garda Síochána that they have provided secure accommodation for the firearm. Further proposed measures will allow the Minister to deem certain firearms as restricted by reference to specific criteria, including the calibre, action type and muzzle energy of the firearm. In future any person wishing to obtain a certificate for such a firearm will have to apply directly to the Garda Commissioner. The Bill will introduce new offences concerning the modification of firearms such as sawing-off a shotgun and increase fines and penalties generally for offences under the Firearms Acts. It will also create mandatory minimum sentences, of between five and ten years, for certain firearms offences, including possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances, possession of firearm with criminal intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, possession of a firearm while hijacking a vehicle, and use or production of a firearm to resist arrest.
I also intend to introduce a statutory basis for an amnesty during which firearms may be surrendered to the Garda Síochána before new penalties and minimum mandatory sentences are introduced. This will enable those in possession of firearms, who are not in compliance with the legal requirements, to regularise their position, thus enabling the Garda Síochána to concentrate on more serious offenders.
A comprehensive package of proposals on juvenile justice issues has been brought forward by means of Committee Stage amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill by my colleague, the Minister of State with special responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan.
The enactment of this Bill is a top priority and I hope to see it on the Statute Book by the summer. I assure the Deputy that the legal, operational measures and resources in place to tackle crime are kept under continuing review and any further measures and resources which are required will be made available.
