asked the Minister for Justice the number of cars stolen in the city and county of Dublin during the years 1970, 1971 and 1972 up to the 31st March; and whether they were all recovered.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Stolen Cars.
51.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 139 on 4th November, 1971, in the course of which I gave particulars of the number of mechanically propelled vehicles reported stolen in the Dublin Metropolitan Area in the years 1969 and 1970, and in the period from 1st January, 1971 to 30th September, 1971, together with the number of such vehicles recorded as having been recovered.
In the time available it has not been found possible to assemble statistics in in respect of the period since 1st October last.
Is the Minister aware that this is a very serious problem? Only this morning a neighbour of mine found when he got up that his car had been stolen. When I raised this matter on the Vote for the Minister's Department some journalist referred to me as the man with a stone heart. I wonder if the Minister has any cure for that.
I can safely say that there is no heart in this House less stony than that of our dear colleague, Deputy P. J. Burke, whom we are happy to see restored to full health and vigour after his recent illness.
He should advise his neighbour never to lock his car: that is the way to keep it safe.