Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 February 2014
202. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on correspondence (details supplied) in Dublin 5 regarding anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8798/14]
View answerWhile I am of course concerned about the impact of anti-social behaviour in local communities, as the Deputy may be aware the latest crime statistics show that the overall crime rate is decreasing, including with respect to the public order, assault and criminal damage offences commonly associated with anti-social behaviour.
There is a range of strong legislative provisions available to an An Garda Síochána to combat anti-social behaviour, and operational policing measures in the area referred to are implemented alongside ongoing community policing work, including problem solving with local communities and liaison with schools, businesses and households in providing crime prevention advice and assistance to victims.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the deployment of specific Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his management team. However, I am advised that local Garda Management in the area referred to closely monitors the allocation of all resources in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
Insofar as the question of sentencing is concerned, the Deputy will appreciate that judges are independent in the matter of sentencing, as in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. In accordance with this principle, the role of the Oireachtas has been to specify in law a maximum penalty and a court, having considered all the circumstances of the case, to impose an appropriate penalty up to that maximum. The court is required to impose a sentence which is proportionate not only to the crime but to the individual offender, in that process identifying where on the sentencing range the particular case should lie and then applying any mitigating factors which may be present. The Deputy will also be aware that I established a Penal Policy Review Group to carry out a review incorporating an examination and analysis of all aspects of penal policy including sentencing policies and the group is expected to report within the next few months.
