Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Apr 1990

Vol. 397 No. 9

Written Answers. - Protection of Tourists.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

29 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the continuing series of attacks and robberies on tourists visiting Dublin and the potential damage which such attacks can do to our tourist industry, he will request the Garda to take any additional measures to prevent such attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

52 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice the steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of attacks on tourists; and whether he will consider the establishment of night courts to facilitate tourists giving evidence of such attacks while they are still in the country.

Peter Barry

Ceist:

209 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Justice if he intends to take any special measures to protect tourists during the coming season.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 29, 52 and 209 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the problem of attacks on tourists is being given special attention and that there is close co-operation on this matter between them and Bord Fáilte and other tourist interests. A number of measures have been taken by the gardaí to deal with the problem. These include the deployment of additional Garda patrols, including gardaí on plain clothes duty in areas of high tourist interest. Arrangements have been made with various bodies, such as the Car Rental Council of Ireland, port authorities at Dún Laoghaire, regional tourism managers and the Irish Hotels Federation for the printing and distribution of leaflets which offer to tourists practical advice on such matters as car security and the safety of personal belongings.

A new measure designed to help in tackling the problem is the provision of the new Garda office which opened on 12 March, 1990 in O'Connell Street, Dublin. This serves as a centre for advising tourists on preventive measures which they can take to safeguard themselves and their belongings.

The Garda authorities are satisfied that the measures already implemented are proving to be effective and they have informed me that provisional figures for recorded attacks on tourists in the Dublin metropolitan area in 1989 show a decrease of 6.4 per cent as compared with 1988.

The situation is being continually monitored by the Garda and the measures taken to deal with the problem are the subject of constant review.

Regarding the question of night courts, because of the right of an accused to sufficient time to prepare a defence, obtain legal aid and brief legal advisers, I am not satisfied that setting up night courts specifically to deal with offences against tourists would serve any useful purpose.

I appreciate fully the deep distress tourists feel when subjected to assault or robbery while they are guests to our country and I deeply resent and regret the damage to our good name and reputation that is caused by such happenings. At the same time I think it is important that we preserve a proper sense of perspective on this matter. Tourists, in practically every city in the world, are vulnerable and we must be careful not to project an unfair image of ourselves by highlighting unduly the most regrettable incidents that do occur here and giving the impression that these things do not happen anywhere else or happen only to a lesser extent than they do here. Tourists have to play their part by being careful of themselves and their possessions. We all want them to be secure and safe while they are with us and the Garda, and indeed the rest of us, will do all that can be done to bring that about.