asked the Minister for Justice whether he accepts that the Central Crime Task Force in Dublin was very successful; the reason it was disbanded; and whether it should be reformed to tackle street crime and larcenies in Dublin.
31.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Dublin Central Crime Task Force.
4.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will request the Commissioner of the Garda to re-establish the Dublin City Crime Task Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am taking these questions on behalf of the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Communications as he is away on official business. I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 31 together.
The organisation of Garda Crime Task Forces within the Dublin Metropolitan Area is essentially a Garda operational matter, in relation to which I am satisfied to accept the professional police advice of the Garda authorities.
As indicated in reply to previous similar parliamentary questions, the Garda authorities decided, for reasons of operational effectiveness, to replace the centralised Crime Task force based at the Dublin Metropolitan Area headquarters at Harcourt Square with separate crime task forces to operate in each of the five Dublin divisions. The Garda authorities are satisfied that this reorganisation has, in fact, led to a more efficient and effective use of resources and they have informed me that the operation of the units is reviewed regularly to ensure that their effectiveness is maintained.
Would the Minister accept that the crime task force was very successful in providing a quick action response in the city of Dublin? Furthermore, would he accept that since its disbandment there has been a significant increase in armed crime and larceny, in particular larceny from unattended vehicles, which rose by 3,000 in the year following disbandment?
There was no question of the disbanding of the force. It was a reorganisation, a decentralisation which is happening in many areas of the State services. It is providing a better service in the divisions. At the time of its decentralisation there were 46 members in the force, centrally based in Harcourt Square. There are now 75 members based in different divisions throughout Dublin, including Harcourt Square. I know from my own experience in one of the divisions that they are being extremely effective and particularly valuable. It is easier for people to call on them because they are available throughout a division.
Would the Minister not accept that there is a very strong body of opinion within the Garda Síochána that the disbandment or the scattering has been a major mistake which has resulted in a considerable increase in crime of all kinds? This force has proved its worth over the years and produced good results with very small numbers. The reorganisation involves almost twice the number of men, but results are much worse. Would the Minister accept that it is time for a rethink? Would his colleague, the Minister for Justice, agree to discuss the matter with the Garda authorities with a view to the possibility of reinstating the crime task force? There is an old saying "If it works, don't change it". It did work but it has been changed. The position should be reversed.
The change came about following a review carried out by the Garda authorities and it was a change for the better. The numbers were greatly increased and the effectiveness of the task force throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Area as a whole was increased. The Garda authorities say that the present arrangements are working well and of course they will keep them under review. I know that it is a great benefit to a division to have the task force available.
The figures do not bear out what the Minister is saying.