asked the Minister for Justice if he is concerned at the apparently increasing levels of crime, particularly armed robberies; the action he proposes to take to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
24.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Crime Levels.
10.
asked the Minister for Justice the special measures he proposes to take to deal effectively with the upsurge in violent crime, armed robberies and vandalism in urban and suburban areas, especially in the Dublin Metropolitan Area.
I propose to take Question No. 10 and Priority Question No. 24 together.
Naturally I am concerned at levels of crime, but I consider that the fact that there has been a decrease in recorded levels of crime in each of the last two years is a very hopeful sign that crime is being brought under control.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that special measures have been taken to deal with the problem of armed robberies in the Dublin Metropolitan Area. I do not intend to go into the details of the measures adopted, because basically this is a police operational matter and also because to do so might prove to be counter-productive.
Will the Minister agree that violent crime, armed robberies and vandalism are increasing while the general level of reported crime is decreasing? Will the Minister agree that especially in Dublin city, shoping centres, shops, pubs, post offices and other facilities have closed because the people involved were harassed repeatedly? Those people gave up on the availability of law and order. Is the Minister aware of how serious the position is in such areas? Will the Minister outline the action he is taking to deal with that?
On the question of armed crime I should like to state that in the first three months of this year there were 165 armed raids in the Dublin Metropolitan Area compared with 150 in 1985. For the country as a whole the figures were 195 over the same period in 1986 and 184 in 1985. I accept that in the DMA has been a slight increase but for the country as a whole there has been a slight reduction. I do not think that either figure is indicative of a major trend in the level of armed crime.
I could bring the Minister to see a supermarket which has been closed down by vandalism and physical abuse — it was set on fire — and a whole series of shops alongside the supermarket which were closed. Is the Minister aware that they were closed because of a breakdown in law and order? When one looks for additional resources or the presence of more police one is told that the money is not available to pay for overtime in those areas. Will the Minister tell the House the special measures he intends to take to provide back-up for gardaí who are handling these difficult matters? Is the Minister aware that in some Dublin streets it is alleged that rackets operate, that physical violence and abuse are commonplace and that young thugs come in and demand money with menaces, and that this is continuing daily? Can the Minister offer some possible solution? Is he prepared to take some special action to deal with it?
I do not want to interrupt, but that is a speech.
It is a reality, a Cheann Comhairle. It may not be "down under" but it is here.
It may be, but smart remarks will not change Standing Orders; it would take more positive action than that. Speeches are not in order on Question Time from either side of the House.
Not only was it a speech but Deputy Woods strayed more than a little from the subject matter of the original question. Of course I agree with the Deputy that in areas in Dublin and, indeed, in other parts of the country, there are serious difficulties resulting from the levels of criminal activity. I might point out that over the last three and a half years this Government have taken a long series of measures to deal with the problem. For example, we have indicated that we will keep Garda strength at 11,400, a level it had never reached before 1983. We have also undertaken a major programme of equipment for the Garda, notably the installation of a new communications system. I hope that the new system in the Dublin Metropolitan Area will be operational in the course of this year. Those are measures that have improved the ability of the Garda to respond to the type of situation the Deputy has mentioned.
Is the Minister aware that the figure of 11,400 constitutes a cutback on the 12,000 the Government promised coming into office? He should be aware of that fact, having been Minister for Finance previously. Will the Minister establish some special squads to support people in these areas? I am sorry that the Minister is somewhat frustrated but I am living with its effects on the ground. I will bring the Minister out and show him shops that have been closed on account of crime. Is he aware that matters are not working on the ground in these areas? Would the Minister agree that it is not acceptable that some parts of the city are free from crime — about which the Minister can talk smugly — while others are subjected daily and nightly to serious crime that the Garda cannot handle because they do not have the necessary resources? Will the Minister give the House a commitment to establish special squads, to provide special overtime or other arrangements affording the Garda an opportunity to root out these thugs, criminals and vandals in the areas in which they are taking over? The Minister has only to look at Tallaght and at the north side of the city to see what has been happening there in recent times.
The Deputy can seek an opportunity of raising this in another way but he cannot make speeches at Question Time. The Chair has been appealed to by the Deputy's Party Whip and, indeed, the Whips of all parties to make progress at Question Time. I simply cannot do it.
I am anxious to reply to the Deputy. I would remind the Deputy that he is not now at a Fianna Fáil ArdFheis. Personally I would not be found dead at one of them.
The Minister would not be wanted there.
That kind of speech is of absolutely no use in defining how we deploy Garda resources. As I have said, I recognise that there are areas in this city and in other parts of the country where the level of crime is of major concern to people. What I am saying is that we have provided resources for the Garda at a level that had not been provided previously. Therefore, we are making headway.
I do not think the Minister realises the urgency.
If the Deputy is going to use Question Time for that kind of empty raiméis of a formula, that is his privilege.
It is not raiméis. I invite the Minister to come to see the position for himself.