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Crime Prevention

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 July 2012

Thursday, 19 July 2012

Questions (570, 571, 572, 573)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

577 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action he will be taking to stop the recent increase in armed robberies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36227/12]

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Written answers

While I am of course concerned about the incidents referred to by the Deputy, it is important to note that the most recent recorded crime statistics report an overall reduction in robberies of more than 8% over the preceding 12 months.

There are very strong laws in place to deal with gang and armed crime and criminals are being brought before the courts on a regular basis by the Gardaí and substantial sentences handed down. I have made it clear that I will review any proposals for improvement to the laws in this area. While the existing laws are of great assistance to the Gardaí, I have already asked that the organised crime measures contained in the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 be examined to see if these provisions can be strengthened. I also recently moved motions in the Dáil and Seanad to renew these provisions to ensure they remain available to the Gardaí.

I am in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner on all aspects of crime and public safety and met with him this week to discuss crime issues, including these recent incidents. Garda investigations are underway into the robberies referred to, arrests have been made and the Garda Commissioner has indicated publicly that he is confident that good progress will be made in these investigations. I have every confidence in the capacity and determination of An Garda Síochána to confront this type of criminality and bring those involved to justice.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

578 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to ensure that there is a multi-agency approach to dealing with the increase in crime in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36231/12]

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Niall Collins

Question:

589 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans, if any to establish a Dublin crime task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36410/12]

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Niall Collins

Question:

590 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to combat the spate of urban crime for recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36411/12]

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I propose to take Questions Nos. 578, 589 and 590 together.

While concerns about crime are fully understandable they should be seen in the context of a fall in most categories of recorded crime, including homicide, public order and assault over the past year. Robust policing measures are in place to respond to concerns about urban crime. These include the designation of certain areas as hotspots for criminality and additional high visibility patrols being directed by local Garda management.

Insofar as calls for a Dublin crime task force are concerned, the position is that a high visibility policing initiative has been introduced in the Dublin area by the Garda authorities. Special operations are also in place, such as Operation Stilts, which deals with anti-social behaviour and drug dealing on the boardwalk, the north quays and adjacent areas, and Operation Pier which focuses on reducing incidents of public disorder in the Temple Bar area.

Calls for a special task force also overlook the work of the Joint Policing Committees, which include the Gardaí and local authorities, and which are designed to bring about a coordinated approach between the various agencies to the problem of crime. As the Deputy may be aware, I have initiated a review of the operation of the JPCs and all interested parties will have an opportunity to contribute to that process.

I also am in regular engagement with all relevant stakeholders in addressing crime issues, for example, in my work with the outgoing Lord Mayor of Dublin's commission on anti-social behaviour and in the development with Government colleagues of effective responses to the problems of alcohol and drug abuse at the root of much violent street crime. I have also met recently with members of the Dublin City Business Improvement District to discuss their concerns about anti-social behaviour in the city and have further discussed these concerns with the Commissioner. There are undoubtedly many challenges faced in addressing urban crime in Ireland, challenges faced in cities throughout the world, but I am not persuaded that the solutions lie in establishing new task forces or other bureaucratic structures.

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