asked the Minister for Justice if he will give details of the current measures to deal with the very serious problem of armed crime; the proposals, if any, there are to strengthen the law in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Armed Crime.
71.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a number of measures have been introduced to counter the problem of armed crime. These involve the redeployment of certain Garda resources and a constant review of the levels of protection to be provided at particular times and places, as well as other matters. I do not propose to go into any greater detail about these measures as to do so could be counterproductive.
I can say, however, that the Garda authorities inform me that there has been a decrease of the order of 20 per cent in the number of armed raids in the first nine months of this year in comparison with the corresponding period last year and also that there has been an improvement in the detection rate of such crimes.
The Garda authorities are satisfied that the law relating to this type of crime is adequate. As regards proposals to strengthen the law I would remind the Deputy that the law relating to police powers was reviewed as recently as 1984 when the Criminal Justice Act of that year was enacted. Some of the more important provisions of that Act came into operation only in July of this year.