Written Answers Nos. 122-126
122. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide assurances to local residents that all necessary Garda resources are being used following the reported increases in burglaries in a number of areas of north Dublin. [53228/13]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that the areas referred to are in the Coolock and Raheny Garda Districts.
In that regard I am further informed that Garda data shows a decrease in burglaries in the Coolock and Raheny area, in line with the national trend. As the Deputy may be aware the latest crime statistics show that the rate of burglary has decreased by 8.9% nationally for twelve months ending 30 June 2013 and this underlines the impact being made by Gardaí under Operation Fiacla. As part of the measures which are coordinated under Operation Fiacla, Operation Acer is in force throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region, including the Coolock and Raheny Districts. It is an intelligence driven operation and includes analysis led checkpoints and patrols to target specific areas and case manage targeted offenders. These arrangements are kept under review to ensure adjustments are made to maintain the effective focus of the operation.
Operation Acer operates alongside ongoing community policing measures, including problem solving with the community and providing crime prevention advice and assistance to victims of burglary. In this regard I am advised that a recent crime prevention leaflet drop in the area has been well received in the community. The area is regularly patrolled by Community Gardaí including foot and bicycle patrols and there is also full engagement with local Neighbourhood Watch and other community groups in the area.
Local Garda Management closely monitors the allocation of all resources in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in the area to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
123. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps being taken by his Department to progress the recognition of Irish Sign Language as an official language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53258/13]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to "examine different mechanisms to promote the recognition of Irish Sign Language". This process has already commenced. The National Disability Authority facilitated consultations with the Deaf Community in Ireland in 2012 at my request in relation to actions that could make improvements in the lives of deaf people and submissions received from them were considered for inclusion where possible and appropriate in the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan which was published in July 2013.
As part of the follow-up to that initiative, I chaired the first special themed meeting of the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group on the issue of Irish Sign Language on November 28. This meeting brought together representatives of relevant Departments, the National Disability Authority, the Deaf community and other relevant stakeholders with a view to further progressing the implementation of the NDSIP in this regard.
The meeting reviewed the current situation across Government Departments and their Agencies with regard to promoting recognition of Irish Sign Language including in service provision and provided the Deaf Community with the opportunity of presenting their experience of dealing with the Public Sector. It also provided a useful opportunity to examine mechanisms which could promote the further use and recognition of Irish Sign Language and understand practical implications for service users. The intention is that outcome of this ongoing process will be reflected in the NDSIP through the incorporation of new actions and related performance indicators and timelines where necessary. Progress on all relevant actions will then be monitored as part of the Implementation Plan monitoring process.
The focus therefore remains on the identification of mechanisms for the further promotion and recognition of ISL with a view to promoting and supporting its use, thereby improving service delivery on the ground, rather than on its designation as an official language. The existing legislation in Ireland gives a level of recognition and practical measures equal to, or above that, in countries which have formally recognised sign language.
124. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding that will be made available to an organisation (details supplied) in view of the fact that it saves his Department thousands of euro every year through the services it provides and by keeping people out of jail or juvenile facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53259/13]
View answerThe problem of drug misuse remains one of the most complex social problems that we face. Our national response to the problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy for the period 2009-2016. The Strategy adopts a comprehensive and pillar based approach to the issue, involving the implementation of a wide range of measures across the five pillars of drug supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. The Strategy is being led out under the stewardship of my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Alex White. Under the National Drugs Strategy, the HSE is the lead organisation, under the treatment pillar, with responsibility for expanding the availability of, and access to residential detox facilities and treatment services for under-18s.
In the meantime, the Community Programmes Unit of Irish Youth Justice Service, working in partnership with the Young Persons Division of the Probation Service has supported the organisation in question over the past few years. This was on top of the funding the organisation received from the HSE. A request for funding and a business plan has been submitted to the Probation Service for 2014 by the organisation. It will be considered by Young Persons Probation and the Irish Youth Justice Service in the context of youth justice priorities and available resources. The Irish Youth Justice Service expects to be in a position to notify the funding allocations for 2014 to community based organisations early in January.
125. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he intends to implement legislation to protect good samaritans who engage in good deeds in good faith but may find themselves being sued for their endeavours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53268/13]
View answerSection 4 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 inserted a new Part IVA into the Civil Liability Act 1961 which protects persons, described as 'good samaritans', from liability who act in good faith to give assistance, advice or care during an accident or emergency without expectation of payment or reward and in a way that does not constitute gross negligence. The Act also protects against liability persons involved in voluntary work for charitable or other purposes for the benefit of society, including sports, recreation and rescue. These provisions were commenced in 2011.
126. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has raised with the British Prime Minister the allegations raised in the Anne Cadwallader book, Lethal Allies, regarding new evidence it contains on the extent of collusion in the Dublin Monaghan Bombs in which 33 people were killed and the 1975 bombing of Kay’s Tavern in Dundalk in which two men (details supplied) were killed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47677/13]
View answerAt the outset I would say that none of us can forget the many acts of terrorist violence carried out on this island related to the troubles or, indeed, the pain that is still being felt as a result. The survivors and the relatives of those killed and injured have borne the grief of these tragic events and the memory of their loved ones lives on with them.
The atrocities perpetrated in Dublin, Monaghan, Dundalk and elsewhere in the 1970s stand out in the memory as particularly bloody episodes in this island’s history. These incidents are among those reflected on in the book to which the Deputy refers. The Garda authorities are, of course, aware of the claims in the book. The Deputy will be aware that the author relies to some extent on material arising from the PSNI's historical enquiries team. The Garda authorities maintain a close working relationship with the PSNI and the historical enquiries team.
The late Judge Henry Barron and Mr. Patrick McEntee SC carried out detailed and painstaking inquiries into those awful events in Dublin and Monaghan in May 1974 and, indeed, other tragic atrocities that took place between 1972 and 1976 in which so many innocent people lost their lives. The Garda authorities co-operated fully with the Barron and McEntee inquiries. Since this Government took office, the Taoiseach has raised the issue with the British Prime Minister and the Tánaiste has also raised the matter with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The Deputy will wish to note also that the Taoiseach met with Justice for the Forgotten and a group of victims and relatives in July of this year and assured them of the Government’s continued support for their cause.
The Deputy will also be aware that this House and Seanad Éireann have previously and unanimously urged the British Government to allow access to documents relevant to these events. I know that many Deputies in this House have raised this issue directly with our counterparts at Westminster and that they will continue to do so.
