I propose to take Oral Questions Nos. 10, 28, 65 and 80 and Written Questions No. 87 together.
I am concerned that visitors to this country can be subject to criminal attacks and I fully support and encourage the efforts of the Garda and tourist bodies to tackle this problem.
I can confirm that representatives of Dublin Tourism, the Irish Hotels Federation and Bord Fáilte met with the then Minister for Justice in 1983 and presented him with a document containing recommendations on measures which they felt could be taken to safeguard tourists and their property.
These recommendations were carefully considered and a detailed reply was issued to the regional tourist manager which stated that most of the recommendations had already been, or were being, put into effect; it is certainly not the position, as some have suggested, that these recommendations were not followed up.
The problem of attacks on tourists is being given special attention by the Garda authorities who work closely with Bord Fáilte and other tourist interests on an ongoing basis to find the most effective ways of dealing with the problem. A number of measures have been taken including the deployment of additional Garda patrols, such as gardaí on plain clothes duty in areas of high tourist interest. Arrangements have been made with various bodies for the printing and distribution of leaflets which offer tourists practical advice on such matters as car security and safety of personal belongings. Advice on personal security at camp sites is now also being included in these leaflets.
Another measure designed to help in tackling the problem is the provision of the new Garda office which opened in 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 and the current policing arrangements are adequate to deal with the problem. They inform me that they have made a number of important detections of this type of crime and that the incidence of such crime is on a downward trend.
I am aware that there have been calls from time to time for the speedier processing by the courts of cases involving tourists. However, in considering how the interests of tourists can best be safeguarded in this respect, regard must also be had for certain fundamental rights of the accused such as the right to sufficient time to prepare a defence, to obtain legal aid and in certain cases to opt for trial by judge and jury. This matter has been carefully considered and special provisions in this regard are included in the Criminal Evidence Bill now before the House. These provisions allow a tourist who is the victim of a crime to make an immediate statement before a district judge. This statement may be used as evidence without the necessity for the victim to attend the subsequent trial. The Bill also provides that the victim may give evidence from abroad by live television link.
The fact that tourists are, unfortunately, the subject of attack in other countries and that in many cases the risks are far higher than they are here, provides no grounds for complacency. This country has a reputation, recognised world-wide, for friendliness and hospitality which is second to none. It is of the greatest importance that we keep it that way by taking whatever measures are necessary to ensure that the tiny minority in our midst who see any apparently soft target as fair game will not have their way.