Written Answers Nos. 138-143
138. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding co-operation between the PSNI, An Garda Síochána and the revenue agencies on the island of Ireland; if he is satisfied with the level of co-operation; and his plans to increase co-operation. [18205/14]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that there has been, is, and will continue to be excellent cross-border co-operation between An Garda Síochána, the PSNI and the Revenue agencies, North and South.
The Garda Síochána has a strong and productive relationship with the PSNI in taking actions to counter the security and other crime threats which face this island, including the activities of the organised criminal gangs to which the paramilitary groups are inextricably linked.
The two police forces operate a joint Cross-Border Policing Strategy which has as its aims to improve public safety throughout Ireland, to disrupt criminal activity and to enhance the policing capability of both police services on the island. This joint Strategy recognises the particular value of interagency co-operation, involving the customs and criminal assets recovery services in both jurisdictions. This approach is a key factor in combating the activities of those criminal gangs who seek to exploit the border for their own gain.
I would point the Deputy, for example, to the successful actions that have been taken against a number of groups involved in the laundering and distribution of illegal fuels, and in tobacco fraud. These groups, operating in both jurisdictions, have been identified and disrupted, and are now being specifically targeted for investigation by all the enforcement agencies concerned.
These actions have been underpinned by a Cross-Border Task Force on Fuel Laundering and Smuggling, comprising representatives from the two police forces, the two customs services, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency. A similar group, the Cross Border Tobacco Enforcement Group, is also in place to support the fight against the activities of gangs engaged in tobacco fraud.
I would point out to the House that each year my Department and the Garda authorities, in conjunction with their counterparts in Northern Ireland, organise a Cross-Border Organised Crime Seminar. This provides an opportunity to assess and address changing trends in crime, and to build upon and enhance the operational actions already being undertaken. The fact that the Seminar is now in its twelfth year is testimony to the excellent co-operation that exists between the law enforcement agencies on the island in terms of exchanging knowledge and experience, and seeking to further enhance and deepen co-operation and joint-working in the fight against crime.
139. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding crime figures for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18216/14]
View answerThe Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.
The latest figures published by the CSO, and on which I commented recently, show that burglary was down 7.2% nationally for the full year in 2013 when compared to 2012 and down 4.5% in the Kerry Garda Division for the same period. These reductions reflect the continued impact of Garda operations on the incidence of burglary and build on earlier reductions which we have seen since the end of 2012. Garda actions to counteract burglary under Operation Fiacla have led to the arrest of 8,687 persons with 4,954 persons being charged as of 31 March 2014.
Operation Fiacla is an intelligence driven operation and includes analysis led policing and patrols to target specific areas and case manage targeted offenders. There can be local and regional fluctuations in relation to particular crime categories and in this regard I am advised that the arrangements for Operation Fiacla are kept under review and local Garda management closely monitor all trends in the incidence of burglary, with adjustments being made on an ongoing basis to maintain the effective focus of the operation.
In relation to the deployment of Garda resources in the area, the Policing Plan for 2013 outlined the Garda Commissioner's proposals for the continued reorganisation and consolidation of the Garda Station and District network throughout the country. In preparing that plan, the Commissioner reviewed all aspects of the Garda Síochána’s policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations, both in terms of opening hours and possible closures.
The Commissioner determined as a result of that review that a number of Garda stations should be closed and concluded that the communities covered by the areas in question could be better served, and crime confronted more effectively, by having Gardaí patrolling the areas rather than being confined to a specific premises.
I can assure the Deputy that it is the Government's intention to ensure that the best possible policing service is provided within the resources available to it and to the Commissioner. An Garda Síochána is an extremely capable and talented force, as is evident from the impact of Operation Fiacla, and I am confident of its ability to continue to effectively combat crime in all its forms.
140. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence further to Question No. 479 of 8 April 2014, in which he stated that he was satisfied that there are statutory and administrative procedures in place in the Department to address any reports of allegations of wrongdoing, if he will clarify, bearing in mind the recent failures of communication between those working in direct and close proximity to him, whether he is satisfied that the existing procedures are adequate; the reason for the recent failures of communication between him and his immediate subordinates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18172/14]
View answerI am satisfied that there are statutory and administrative procedures in place in my Department to address any reports of allegations of wrongdoing.
141. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when applications will be taken for the new GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18101/14]
View answerThe proposed new agri-environment scheme GLAS (Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme) forms part of the new Rural Development Programme which must be submitted to the European Commission for approval. Work is well underway in preparing this submission. My Department is finalising the design of measures, taking account of the most recent round of public consultation, and the independent evaluator has commenced work on the preparation of the ex ante evaluation report, the strategic environmental assessment and the appropriate assessment which form an integral part of the development of the programme.
The next stage will be the submission of the Rural Development Programme to the European Commission, followed by inter-service consultation and bilateral discussions. Only when this process is completed, and the Programme is approved by the European Commission, can we open the new GLAS to applications.
142. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person who is already in the agri-environment options scheme can apply to participate in the new GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18103/14]
View answerThe proposed new agri-environment scheme GLAS (Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme) forms part of the new Rural Development Programme which must be submitted to the European Commission for approval. Work is well underway in preparing this submission. My Department is finalising the design of measures, taking account of the most recent round of public consultation, and the independent evaluator has commenced work on the preparation of the ex ante evaluation report, the strategic environmental assessment and the appropriate assessment which form an integral part of the development of the programme.
When the programme is approved by the European Commission the details of new schemes and implementing rules, including provisions relating to existing AEOS participants, will be finalised and published.
143. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an owner of land who is renting land for which someone else is claiming entitlements can apply for the new GLAS when the rental period has expired. [18104/14]
View answerThe proposed new agri-environment scheme GLAS (Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme) forms part of the new Rural Development Programme which must be submitted to the European Commission for approval. Work is well under way in preparing this submission. My Department is finalising the design of measures, taking account of the most recent round of public consultation, and the independent evaluator has commenced work on the preparation of the ex ante evaluation report, the strategic environmental assessment and the appropriate assessment which form an integral part of the development of the programme.
When the programme is approved by the European Commission the details of new schemes and implementing rules will be finalised and published. It is not possible at this stage to advise on the eligibility or otherwise of any land parcel under the proposed new scheme.
