John Brady
Question:13. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice what plans are in place to deal with the ending of the Temporary Protection Directive in March 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9687/24]
View answerEU Directives
Questions (13)
Written answers
The Temporary Protection Directive – which provides immediate protection in EU countries for people displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine – was extended to March 2025 at a meeting of the European Council last September. I wish to acknowledge again the enormous goodwill and welcome shown by communities across the country to those who have arrived. The Government will continue to support communities in their efforts to assist and integrate those fleeing the conflict.
Discussions on the options for what happens post March 2025 are ongoing, both within the Government and at an EU level, in recognition of the need for certainty for beneficiaries of temporary protection in the EU when the Directive is no longer active.
However, at this point in time, it is too early to say with certainty what arrangements will be in place in March 2025. The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot pre-empt future discussions and decisions of either the EU or the Government. I expect, however, that the prevailing conditions in Ukraine will be a significant influence on any decisions taken, and these clearly remain highly uncertain.
The Government supports the strong call from EU Member States for a harmonised approach to Temporary Protection post March 2025, beyond a merely coordinated approach. Such an approach is needed to avoid overburdening national international protection systems, which was a key factor in the decision to activate the Temporary Protection Directive in response to the war in Ukraine.
As of 14 April 2024, a total of 106,038 people have been granted temporary protection in Ireland.
Finally, I can assure the Deputy that beneficiaries of Temporary Protection continue to avail of the protections that the Directive provides.
Legislative Reviews
Questions (14)
Catherine Connolly
Question:14. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 23 of 22 February 2024, the status of the independent review of part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017; her plans to revisit the decision for the review to be completed by the data and research unit of her Department; if she will recruit another independent reviewer to complete the work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17851/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department commissioned an independent consultant to undertake the statutory review of Part 4 of the Act but, due to a number of reasons, it was not possible for the review to be completed within the desired timeframe.
I acknowledge that the report is now significantly overdue and the Deputy is aware, from previous questions, of the circumstances that have delayed its completion.
Expressions of interest for a new Study lead to complete the Part 4 review of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 2017 were sought and following the closing date for receipt of applications, all options for concluding this work were considered. A very small number of expressions of interest were received, none of which met the necessary requirements to complete the review. Arising from those considerations and in view of the research already undertaken and the work done compiling and analysing the submissions received, all of which have been made available to my Department, I have decided that the most efficient way to complete the review is for the Data and Research Unit in my Department to draft the report using the material provided.
I am assured this approach will ensure that the review is completed in the autumn.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (15)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:15. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí working in road policing in Cork city and county at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17791/24]
View answerWritten answers
Road safety is a shared responsibility, and while led by the Department of Transport, it is one which is taken very seriously across Government. We have all been shocked by the recent loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities after many years of progress in making our roads safer.
I continue to engage with colleagues across Government, in particular Minister Chambers, to ensure that every effort is made to increase safety on our roads. As the Deputy may be aware, I met with the Taoiseach, Minister Ryan, Minister Chambers and the Road Safety Authority last week.
Road traffic laws are enforced on an ongoing basis by both Roads Policing personnel and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies. The Commissioner has also recently directed that all uniform Garda members are to be deployed on high visibility roads policing operations, of 30 minutes duration, in each tour of duty.
Approximately 25% of all roads enforcement is undertaken by regular units. 75% of drug/drink driving checks are carried out by regular units.
Every frontline Garda member now has a mobility device, which is essentially a mobile phone that allows them to access a number of specialised Garda apps at the roadside. These include the ability to issue a Fixed Charge Notice, search for the insurance details provided by the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland, if a vehicle is taxed or not and if a driver is disqualified. These tasks can now be done within moments, without the need to return to the station.
Additionally, an Automatic Number Plate Recognition, or ANPR, app is already being used by the Gardaí to identify cars nationwide, and will be rolled out further.
I am advised that as of 24 March 2024, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 76 Roads Policing Gardaí assigned across the three Cork Divisions. This represents an increase of 4 since the end of December 2023, when there were 72 Roads Policing Gardaí assigned.
At the end of March 2024 there were 27 Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing duty in Cork City Division, 19 Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing duty in Cork North Division and 30 Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing duty in Cork West Division.
The Deputy can appreciate that while the distribution of Garda resources is an operational matter for the Commissioner, I am assured the distribution is kept under continual review.
Sentencing Policy
Questions (16, 27)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:16. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice if she has received from the Judicial Council the sentencing guidelines committee's three-year work plan for sentencing guidelines, as committed to in the Judicial Council's 2022 annual report. [15783/24]
View answerDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:27. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice if she has received from the Judicial Council, the sentencing guidelines committee's procedure for developing sentencing guidelines, as committed to in the Judicial Council's 2022 annual report. [15782/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 27 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Judicial Council Act 2019 provided for the establishment of the Sentencing Guidelines and Information Committee of the Judicial Council.
Its functions include the preparation of draft sentencing guidelines and the monitoring of the operation of those guidelines, together with the collation of information on sentences imposed by the courts and the dissemination of that information to judges and others.
Under Section 6 of the Judicial Council Act, the Judicial Council is independent in the exercise of its functions and as Minister, I have no role in relation to the operation of the Judicial Council or its Committees.
I can advise the Deputy that the Judicial Council Sentencing Committee last year published its Guideline Development Procedure, which can be accessed on the Council's website. This document, informed by the legislative framework and best practice in other jurisdictions, sets out the procedure that the Committee will follow in developing sentencing guidelines.
The Committee has also commissioned and published expert research on the methodological considerations in the collection and analysis of sentencing data, as well as a guideline document setting out the procedure the Committee intends to apply in developing sentencing guidelines.
I am further informed that the Judicial Council is currently prioritising work on sentencing in the District Court in relation to domestic violence and death by dangerous driving and manslaughter in the Circuit Court, and is carrying out research to inform this work.
The Deputy may be aware 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 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 role of the Oireachtas, and my role as Minister, is to determine what an appropriate maximum sentence is for individual offences through primary legislation. I have in a number of cases proposed and enacted legislation to increase maximum sentences, including for assault causing harm and conspiracy to murder. The Oireachtas has also enacted legislation in a number of cases to provide for a presumptive minimum sentence.
There are, of course, a small number of situations where statute has provided the Director of Public Prosecutions with the power to apply to the Court of Criminal Appeal to review a sentence she regards as unduly lenient.
More generally, and as the Deputy may also be aware, an important component of the Department's Review of Penal Policy 2022-24 includes plans to increase the range of sentencing options for judges to deal with offending, particularly for offending behaviour which would normally attract a short sentence.
Crime Prevention
Questions (17)
Robert Troy
Question:17. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if she will implement the recommendation of the Hamilton report to introduce a standard of recklessness into fraud offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17792/24]
View answerWritten answers
Corruption and economic crime can have a hugely negative impact on our society and have the potential to harm Ireland’s reputation as a global hub for financial services and business.
They can also be enormously distressing for the unfortunate victims of these crimes and we must ensure that we have the tools, policies and strategies to tackle and vigorously pursue criminals in this area.
The Review of Structures and Strategies to Prevent, Investigate and Penalise Economic Crime and Corruption, often referred to as ‘the Hamilton Report’, was published in December 2020.
It contained a number of recommendations focusing primarily on legislative, structural, and resourcing measures to enhance the capacity of relevant agencies and multi-agency enforcement and the prevention of corruption and white-collar crime offences.
To date, we have made significant progress with initiatives to combat corruption and economic crime, with a number of the Report's recommendations having been implemented. In particular, we have established on a permanent basis a cross-sectoral partnership-based Advisory Council for Economic Crime and Corruption.
The role of the Council is to co-ordinate and lead the delivery of the whole-of-Government approach to economic crime and corruption. It advises and makes proposals on strategic and policy responses and is responsible for developing a multi-annual strategy to combat economic crime and corruption.
Recommendation 23 of the Report was to implement the recommendation of the Law Reform Commission to amend the relevant provisions of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 to enhance the prosecution of fraud offences in this jurisdiction.
In April 2021 Minister McEntee published a cross-government plan on implementing the Hamilton Report. The plan set out 22 actions to be completed to progress the Report’s recommendations. Action 21 of that plan set out the necessary steps to implement recommendation 23.
I can inform the Deputy that officials in the Department are giving consideration to how best any proposed legislation would support prosecutions in this area. Minister McEntee hopes to be in a position to bring forward proposals on this shortly.
Drug Dealing
Questions (18)
Brendan Smith
Question:18. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if there are adequate legislative measures to deal with the scourge of drugs, with particular need to counteract effectively the activities of large-scale drug dealers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17828/24]
View answerWritten answers
I want to assure the Deputy that I am conscious of, and hugely committed to, tackling the devastating impact that illegal drugs have on communities across the country. My Department is steadfast in working in many ways to address the harms caused to families and communities by the activities of transnational organised crime groups and, as part of this, all the laws and powers available to An Garda Síochána are kept under close review.
Tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity, including by such groups but also by individuals who, through their own drug taking, fuel this illegal and very harmful trade is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and the Government. During my time in office I have taken a number of key measures, including:
• Increased the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life in prison to target the people directing drug related crime;
• Introduced new legislation to criminalise the exploitation and grooming of children into a life of crime;
• Supported the development and roll-out of Greentown, an internationally recognised programme which is designed to break the link between organised crime groups and the children they try to recruit.
The Deputy will be aware that An Garda Síochána have successfully partnered with multiple international police services to target transnational criminal groups and my Department is currently engaged in negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in relation to extradition and mutual legal assistance processes. It is important that criminals see there can be no hiding place from the law, and that the State will do everything in its power to bring those who spread misery in our communities to justice.
The Criminal Assets Bureau continues to successfully target the assets, wherever situated, of persons which derive or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime in Ireland, disrupting the activities of criminal gangs through the removal of their ill-gotten gains and has been recognised as a world leader in asset investigations, tracing and forfeiture.
Earlier this year, I also announced plans to introduce legislation to significantly strengthen CAB’s seizure powers. The Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2024 will also speed up the process to dispose of the asset for the benefit of the State and the communities devastated by drug use which I am supporting through the Community Safety Innovation Fund.
I have also ensured that An Garda Síochána continue to be effectively resourced with record budgets allocated in recent years which have enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime. These include the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). Between 2019 and 2022, over €160m in drugs were seized by the Gardaí and these seizures continue to grow throughout 2023 and to date this year.
In February, Gardaí along with Revenue Officers seized 546kg of a synthetic drug, with an estimated value of €32.8 million, in Cork Port. The detention of the MV Matthew in Cork last year, which saw the seizure of approximately €157 million worth of drugs is a further example. These seizures, and many smaller ones that do not make the headlines, demonstrates the excellent work of Gardaí and their partner agencies at disrupting the supply of drugs into the country.
Inspector of Prisons
Questions (19)
Patrick Costello
Question:19. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice when existing unpublished centre reports (details supplied) will be published. [17832/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) was established under the Prisons Act 2007 and is independent in how it carries out its functions. The Inspector's role is to carry out regular inspections of prisons.
The Inspector's three day monitoring report of the Dóchas Centre was received in my office in August 2020, and it was deemed possible following legal advice to publish this in January of this year. I requested the Inspector to carry out an investigation into matters arising in the Dóchas Centre, under section 31(2) of the Prisons Act and this investigation report was submitted in February 2022. In addition, a supplementary report which I requested in relation to matters arising from the section 31(2) investigation was received in July 2022.
It was always intended that these reports would be reviewed for publication together but, based on legal advice received by the Department from the Office of the Attorney General, it is not yet possible to publish these reports at this time.
Consideration of these reports is ongoing and I am therefore not in a position to publish them or comment further on their content. I intend to publish these reports as soon as it is practicable to do so.
As the Deputy will be aware, this Government is continuing to invest in modernising and upgrading the prison infrastructure itself and the range of supports and services provided to people in custody.
This includes securing increased funding for recruitment of prison officers and healthcare staff and a renewed focus on education and training.
Last year I opened a state of the art women’s prison in limerick and in addition to bringing on stream approximately 150 new prison spaces this year, I have secured additional capital funding of €49.5m to progress 4 new capital projects.
I look forward to joining the Prison Officers Association later this week at their annual conference to discuss how we can continue to support them in their work, including by working with people in custody to reduce reoffending and make our communities safer.
Crime Prevention
Questions (20)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:20. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the measures her Department has taken to date to tackle cybercrime; her views on whether enough resources have been allocated to the Garda to deal with cybercrime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17790/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to taking measures to combat and prevent cybercrime.
There is close cooperation across the whole of Government on this issue, including between An Garda Síochána and the National Cyber Security Centre.
I recently had the opportunity to visit the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau and thank the highly skilled Gardaí first hand for the very important work they do.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. The 2024 allocation provides a budget of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána, representing a 25% increase since 2020. This unprecedented budget will strengthen the work of specialist units within An Garda Síochána such as the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau. As part of Budget 2024's unprecedented allocation, €155 million has been allocated for digital capital investment and IT. I am satisfied that the Cybercrime Bureau are constantly developing their expertise and capability in this vital field and the tools they are currently deploying are cutting edge. Crucially they also cooperate closely with overseas partners in combatting this borderless crime.
Online fraud can cause not only devastating financial problems, but can also cause mental stress for those affected. Garda authorities have advised that around €237 million has been reported stolen in cyber enabled frauds in the period 2020 to 2023. The global cost of cybercrime is estimated to be $6 trillion per annum.
I would urge anyone conducting sensitive or personal business online or over the phone to be very cautious when providing personal or banking information. Many of the financial institutions have excellent advice for customers on how to be safe online, as does the Citizens’ Information website.
Last September, European Cyber Security Month saw a joint initiative between the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau and the National Cyber Security Centre including a strong series of public and corporate events on the joint ECSM themes of Phishing and Ransomware attacks. The joint communications featured a series of radio adverts, weekly social media postings on the platforms of both agencies, and media advertisements on the risks posed by cyber-attacks and the prevention needs to stay safe online with an emphasis on the hashtag, 'Think Before You Click' (#ThinkB4UClick).
In advance of this year’s Valentine's Day, An Garda Síochána ran a campaign to raise awareness of romance fraud. As part of the campaign, Gardaí encouraged people not to share personal details, not to send or receive money, and to only use trusted dating sites.
One particular operation which an Garda Síochána work on is Operation JACKAL, an INTERPOL-led operation, which is known as Operation SKEIN in Ireland. Operation SKEIN runs an investigation into an International Criminal Organisation which commits crimes including Business Email Compromise and Romance Fraud worldwide and launders the proceeds through networks of bank accounts in Ireland.
The Gardaí also continue to engage with telecommunications service providers regarding online scams and the identification of those involved in them.
Finally, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to enacting the necessary legislation to provide the Gardaí with the legal powers they need to tackle this form of crime. A General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Protection, Preservation and Access to Data on Information Systems) Bill 2024 was recently approved by Government and will equip law enforcement authorities with the power to seek orders from the Courts for the preservation and production of electronic evidence held on computer systems required to carry out criminal investigations.
Question No. 21 answered orally.
Drug Dealing
Questions (22)
Brendan Smith
Question:22. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the additional measures, if any, she will introduce to deal with the scourge of illegal drugs throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17829/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to tackle drug dealing and associated criminal behaviour, including by organised crime groups.
The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out its vital policing work. This funding has enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime.
These include the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). Between 2019 and 2022, over €160m in drugs have been seized by the Gardaí.
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau leads in tackling all forms of drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs in Ireland. Collaboration at an inter-agency and international level remain key in tackling this issue. Given the global nature of the drugs trade, international law enforcement co-operation remains a key element in the overall response.
An Garda Síochána has strong and strategic partnerships in place at international level targeting drug trafficking, including working closely with relevant law enforcement agencies such as INTERPOL and Europol and participating in the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre for Narcotics (MAOC-N) based in Lisbon.
An example of the success of this cooperation in February, when Gardaí along with Revenue Officers seized 546kg of a synthetic drug, with an estimated value of €32.8 million, in Cork Port. The detention of the MV Matthew in Cork last year, which saw the seizure of approximately €157 million worth of drugs is a further example. These seizures, and many smaller ones that do not make the headlines, demonstrates the excellent work of Gardaí and their partner agencies at disrupting the supply of drugs into the country.
At a local level, An Garda Síochána continues to target those involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs through Operation Tara. Recent successes of Operation Tara include the seizure of cannabis plants and cannabis herb with an estimated value of €700,000 in County Roscommon on 9 April. On 10 April, also in County Roscommon, €180,000 worth of suspected cannabis plants were seized during a search operation in Fairymount, County Roscommon.
The Government is committed to limiting access to illegal drugs to the greatest extent possible and are committed to taking a number of direct actions to tackle this, including by:
• Increasing the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life in prison to tackle those who direct gangland and drug related crime
• Introducing new legislation which will criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime
• Supporting the roll-out of Greentown, a pilot programme which is seeking to break the link between the gangs and the children they try to recruit
Earlier this year, I also announced plans to introduce legislation to further strengthen the State’s ability to seize criminal assets. The Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2024 will make significant changes to the Proceeds of Crime Act to strengthen the ability of the Criminal Assets Bureau to target the proceeds of crime and will speed up the process to dispose of the asset for the benefit of the State.
The Criminal Assets Bureau continues to target the assets, wherever situated, of persons which derive or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime in Ireland, disrupting the activities of criminal gangs through the removal of their ill-gotten gains and has been recognised as a world leader in asset investigations, tracing and forfeiture.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (23)
Claire Kerrane
Question:23. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda recruits allocated to counties Roscommon and Galway following the latest passing-out ceremony in Templemore; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17599/24]
View answerWritten answers
In 2024, I have provided a budget allocation of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána which represents a 25% increase on 2020.
At the end of March, there were 14,059 Gardaí which represents an increase of almost 10% since 2015 when there were 12,816 Gardaí throughout the country.
The number of recruits in the Garda training college continue to increase; a total of 746 trainees entered the training college in 2023. This is the highest intake in any year since 2018. A further 185 new recruits entered the College earlier this month.
I can advise the Deputy that there are currently three classes in training in the Garda College, two having entered in 2023 and one this month. These trainees are expected to attest in, June, September and December of this year.
Three further intakes are planned for July, September and December of this year.
I am advised that since 2015 a total of 83 Probationer Gardaí were assigned to Galway Division.
I am further advised that 48 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to the Roscommon/Longford Division since 2015, this includes 15 Garda members who were assigned to Garda stations within Co. Roscommon. I am advised that no Probationer Garda was assigned to Co. Roscommon this year to date.
The Garda Commissioner and I both fully recognise that policing is often difficult and challenging work, but also very rewarding work. I am sure the Deputy will agree it is not for everyone but it is very much a job worth doing.
I have been absolutely committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to make sure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (24)
Bernard Durkan
Question:24. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which she continues to provide adequate resources to enable An Garda Síochána to adequately police organised crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17776/24]
View answerWritten answers
Tackling serious and organised crime is a key priority for me as Minister for Justice and I am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe.
This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion in Budget 2024. The record budgetary resources allocated to An Garda Síochána in recent years have enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime, including the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). Since 2015, over €345m in drugs have been seized by the Gardaí.
An Garda Síochána remains resolute in its determination to act against those engaged in organised crime. Cooperation with international law enforcement agencies remains a key element of the Garda response in view of the global nature of organised crime and the drugs trade, with Gardaí working closely with relevant law enforcement agencies such as INTERPOL and Europol to target drug trafficking.
Tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity, including by organised crime groups and by members of the public who, through their drug-taking fuel this illegal and very harmful trade, is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and the Government.
An Garda Síochána continues to target those involved in street-level drug dealing across the country and also focuses on disrupting and dismantling the drug trafficking networks that impact on our communities and prosecuting those involved at every level through Operation Tara.
Last December, I received Government approval to open extradition and mutual legal assistance negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is important that criminals see there can be no hiding place from the law, and that the State will do everything in its power to bring those who spread misery in our communities to justice.
The Government is committed to taking a number of direct actions to tackle organised criminal groups, including by:
• Increasing the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life in prison to tackle those who direct organised and drug related crime;
• New legislation has been introduced which criminalises the grooming of children into a life of crime;
• Supporting the roll-out of Greentown, a pilot programme which is seeking to break the link between the gangs and the children they try to recruit.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (25)
Patrick Costello
Question:25. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the introduction of an online portal for uploading and reporting of digital evidence, such as video of road traffic offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17844/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed by An Garda Síochána that they are committed to delivering on this portal. However, as the Deputy will appreciate, this will necessitate the development of a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) to store, manage and process any footage received.
This system is also required as part of the implementation of body worn camera (BWC) technology in An Garda Síochána, as it is also a fundamental building block for the deployment of an enterprise-scale body worn camera solution across the large Garda organisation.
As the Deputy may be aware, the project to introduce body worn cameras and the associated digital evidence management system to An Garda Síochána is underway, and is being undertaken on a phased basis. The first stage is a limited proof of concept deployment of cameras in three locations, including Dublin City Centre, which is planned to commence within the next few months.
The legislation which underpins the proof of concept deployment, and the eventual full roll out of body worn cameras, is the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023, which was enacted last December.
The proof of concept will, of necessity, be limited in scope but will provide learnings and be used as valuable operational input for the next and substantive stage of the project, the national procurement and rollout of BWCs including the introduction of a DEMS. This system, in addition to supporting the cameras, will support the use of an online portal to facilitate the uploading and submission of video footage to An Garda Síochána by the public.
I am informed that it is currently envisaged that the portal will be developed next year following the developments I have outlined above.
Antisocial Behaviour
Questions (26)
Paul Donnelly
Question:26. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice what resources are available to the roads policing unit at present to deal specifically with the illegal use of scrambler-type motorcycles in public places. [12274/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is fully committed to tackling anti-social behaviour, including the misuse of scramblers. That is why legislation was enacted by the Minister for Transport to increase Garda powers to seize scramblers.
An Garda Síochána responds to all reports of anti-social behaviour and conducts operations on an ongoing basis to target the anti-social activities of people using scramblers, mopeds and quads in public parks and green areas.
An Garda Síochána has, through various media and social media platforms, highlighted the inherent dangers associated with the use of these vehicles. In order to combat this behaviour, intelligence is gathered at local level and areas are targeted as appropriate. Garda operations targeting the illegal use of scramblers, mopeds and quad bikes involve all members who are assigned to operational duties.
An Garda Síochána continues to educate all road users in their attitudes and behaviour and when necessary, detecting and intercepting dangerous drivers and those who refuse to comply with road traffic laws.
Additionally, the Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour established a subgroup in 2021 to examine measures which can be taken when vehicles such as scramblers and quad bikes are misused in communities. The work of the sub-group laid the foundation for a new initiative to support local projects to encourage young people in the safe and legal use of motorbikes. This scheme is based on the model developed by the Moyross Youth Diversion Project (YDP) and is a means of intervention and diversion of young people from this type of anti-social activity, rather than enforcement. This includes providing instruction in vehicle care, maintenance and responsible use. €190,000 was allocated to assist approved projects in 2022 and 2023. Almost €149,000 has been allocated for 2024.
Furthermore, the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 was signed into law in June 2023. Among its provisions, the Act aims to tackle the antisocial use of scramblers and quadbikes via three measures:
1. Under Section 5(k), dangerous driving has become an offence everywhere, not only in public places;
2. Under Section 5(p), An Garda Síochána are granted new powers of seizure;
3. Under Section 11(b), there is a new power to provide in regulations for the prohibition or restriction of the uses of classes of vehicles in particular places.
Under the new powers, there was an operation targeting organised criminal activity and illegal use of scrambler bikes/off road vehicles in Limerick City on 24 and 25 October 2023. Because of these new laws and powers given to members of An Garda Síochána, the operation in Limerick was hugely successful with the Gardaí having used their new legislative powers to seize dozens of scrambler bikes in Limerick City. The operation involved searches of 21 premises at locations across the city, resulting in the seizure of 44 scrambler bikes and off-road vehicles.
Nationwide, 44 quad bikes and 133 scramblers have been seized by An Garda Síochána from 1 January 2023 to 5 February 2024.
It is hoped that this combined approach of increased Garda powers to tackle the misuse of scramblers, together with the creation of alternative options for those who wish to use such vehicles safely and legally, will have a significant impact in tackling the problem.
Question No. 27 answered with Question No. 16.
Visa Agreements
Questions (28)
Robert Troy
Question:28. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if she will reconsider joining the EU's Visa Information System in a bid to tackle migration and security challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17793/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that the Visa Information System (VIS) is a system which allows Schengen Area States to exchange visa data. It consists of a central IT system and of a communication infrastructure that links this central system to national systems. The Schengen Area states apply a common borders code which governs the entry of persons crossing the external EU border into the Schengen states. The Schengen states have a common list of countries whose citizens are required to obtain a visa to enter and VIS supports the operation of those visa arrangements.
For the Deputy's information, I can advise him that the Schengen Area encompasses most EU countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland. At present the EU members Bulgaria and Romania only apply some of the Schengen provisions. The non-EU States Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein also have joined the Schengen Area.
As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland is in a separate Common Travel Area with the UK, the operation of which is not compatible with membership of the Schengen Area Border Code. To become a member of the Schengen Area Border Code would require the introduction of a hard border on the Island of Ireland, and the dissolution of the Common Travel Area with the UK, neither of which could be supported by the Government. As a consequence Ireland does not participate in the Visa Information System. Therefore, I am not willing to reconsider the decision to join the EU's Visa Information System
Protocol 19 to the Treaty on European Union and Treaty on the Functioning of the EUTEU allows Ireland to request to participate in some or all of the Schengen acquis, and Ireland does participate in certain aspects of the acquis for law enforcement purposes, including the Schengen Information System.
Cross-Border Co-operation
Questions (29)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:29. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the discussions she has had with the Minister of Justice in Northern Ireland since the reappointment of the Executive there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17767/24]
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The restoration of the Assembly and the Executive is a positive opportunity for the people of Northern Ireland. I very much welcome that there is now a functioning Executive who can represent the interests of the people and deal with all the issues and challenges that Northern Ireland faces at present. As the Deputy is aware, this also facilitates the full operation of the Good Friday Agreement Institutions, delivering positively to the collective benefit of all of our people.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that there continues to be excellent ongoing cross-Border engagement and co-operation with counterparts in Northern Ireland on relevant justice matters. This includes close co-operation between my officials and officials in the Northern Ireland Department of Justice on a range of issues, as well as between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland and other agencies with their counterparts.
I have had extensive and positive contact with my colleague, Minister for Justice Naomi Long since the Executive was re-established. Minister Long and I share many areas of mutual interest and cooperation and I spoke with her soon after her re-appointment in February. Earlier this month we both attended the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh and this included a separate bilateral meeting to cover criminal justice issues which, as the Deputy will be aware, are not encompassed in the remit of the NSMC.
More recently, we jointly chaired a meeting of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on Cooperation on Criminal Justice Matters. The IGA covers a number of criminal justice strands of cooperation such as protection of victims, forensic science and youth justice. We face the same challenges in both parts of the island in combating crime, including transnational crime; managing offenders; and supporting victims; and the IGA provides a valuable structure for ongoing North South engagement in tackling these issues together. Minister Long and I reviewed progress on the range of ongoing cross-border initiatives and agreed a new series of measures to take forward work in these areas.
At the meeting, officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Síochána also provided an update on the work of the cross border Joint Agency Task Force (JATF) which was established to tackle organised and cross jurisdictional crime. Priority areas include Rural Crime, Drugs, Trafficking in Human Beings including Children, Immigration Crime, Financial Crime and Excise Fraud.
It was clear to both of us that the Task Force continues to facilitate excellent cross border cooperation, both on a practical day-to-day basis and at a strategic level. The results are evident in the multiple successes achieved in disrupting and preventing organised criminality and making all our communities safer.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (30)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:30. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice to provide a breakdown of the number of Garda officers, by rank, attached to all Meath East Garda stations in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of Garda officers who retired from Meath East Garda stations in the same period; and if this is commensurate with population increases in Meath from 2020 to 2024 to date, in tabular form. [17701/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. An Garda Síochána has been allocated unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for 2024, a 25% increase since 2020 allowing for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
As the Deputy is aware, it is the responsibility of Garda management to manage and keep under review the distribution of resources. I am informed that when consideration is given to the allocation and transfer of Garda members to and from any Division, account is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’.
I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include:
• Local and national crime trends and workloads
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies
• Minimum establishment statistics
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in 2014, a total of 74 new recruits have been assigned to the East Meath district of Ashbourne.
At the end of March this year there were 155 Garda members assigned to the Ashbourne District, including 135 Gardaí, 16 Sergeants, 3 Inspectors and 1 Superintendent. In addition, there is a total of 8 Garda staff assigned to the Ashbourne District, up from 5 in 2015.
I am pleased to note that since 2020, 72 newly attested Gardaí have been assigned to Meath, as compared to 48 Gardaí who have retired from the Meath Division in the same period.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the tables below set out the number of Garda members assigned to Meath Division for the years requested.
|
GARDA STATISTICS MONTH ENDING 31 March 2024 |
|||||||||
|
Division |
District |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
MEATH |
ASHBOURNE |
ASHBOURNE |
43 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
53 |
||
|
DULEEK |
4 |
4 |
|||||||
|
DUNBOYNE |
49 |
1 |
50 |
||||||
|
DUNSHAUGHLIN |
20 |
3 |
23 |
||||||
|
LAYTOWN |
19 |
5 |
1 |
25 |
|||||
|
TOTAL |
135 |
16 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
155 |
||
|
KELLS |
BAILE ÁTHA BUÍ |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
KELLS |
21 |
6 |
1 |
28 |
|||||
|
OLDCASTLE |
3 |
3 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
28 |
7 |
1 |
|
|
|
36 |
||
|
NAVAN |
NAVAN |
79 |
10 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
95 |
||
|
NOBBER |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
SLANE |
5 |
2 |
7 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
85 |
12 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
103 |
||
|
TRIM |
BALLIVOR |
||||||||
|
ENFIELD |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
LONGWOOD |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
SUMMERHILL |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TRIM |
34 |
8 |
2 |
44 |
|||||
|
TOTAL |
38 |
8 |
2 |
|
|
|
48 |
||
|
Meath Total |
286 |
43 |
10 |
2 |
1 |
|
342 |
||
I am further advised that the table below sets out the number of Garda members who retired from the Meath Division in the years 2020 up to the 18 April 2024. I am informed that data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts less than 10 for data protection reasons. Please be advised that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.
|
Meath Division |
Total |
|
2020 |
12 |
|
2021 |
<10 |
|
2022 |
20 |
|
2023 |
<10 |
|
2024 (up to 18 April) |
<10 |
|
Total |
48 |
As the Deputy will be aware information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, District, Station and rank can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/