I propose to take Questions Nos. 652 to 655, inclusive, together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current Dublin City Centre Policing Plan has been operational since June 2013 and includes dedicated high visibility patrols in key commercial and public thoroughfares. These patrols are informed by crime trends, demand led studies and footfall in the areas in question. An Garda Síochána engages extensively with business and community interests in the city centre area with respect to crime prevention, enforcement and policing concerns.
In relation to the specific issues raised concerning the Temple Bar area, in addition to the patrols referred to above, I am advised that additional plain clothes foot patrols are assigned to the area and adjoining streets each Friday and Saturday night under Operation Aughrim. A dedicated Public Order Van is also deployed to the area during the weekend. In addition, a number of other city centre policing operations impact on adjoining areas of the city, notably Operation Pier, which concentrates high visibility patrols on the South Quays and Temple Bar area. I can further inform the Deputy that in addition to these overall operational measures, two members of the Community Policing Unit at Pearse Street Garda Station are specifically assigned to the Temple Bar area and maintain liaison with the residents and other stakeholders in the area. In this regard, I am advised that ongoing consultation is maintained with the Temple Bar Traders association and Dublin Business Improvement District (BID) and that the policing needs of the area are kept under ongoing review.
In so far as the particular report referred to by the Deputy is concerned, he will be aware that a number of issues concerning a range of policies spanning a number of Departments emerged from its work. My predecessor as Minister for Justice and Equality welcomed the report and forwarded it to relevant Ministerial colleagues for their consideration as part of the ongoing development of policy in relevant areas. The relevant issues raised in the report have also fed into Garda enforcement and prevention measures in the city centre, including those referred to above.
With regard to the Deputy's request for specific information regarding public order offences in Dublin City Centre, the 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. I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.