Brendan Smith
Ceist:302 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals there are to extend the Public Order Act, 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20709/01]
Written Answers. - Public Order Act.
Brendan Smith
Ceist:303 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself with the effectiveness of existing laws in addressing the issue of violence which arises in many towns late at night and in early mornings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20710/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 303 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that existing statutory provisions are adequate to deal with incidents of public disorder. In addition to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, numerous statutes contain provisions dealing with behaviour associated with public disorder, such as the Criminal Damage Act, 1991, Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 and Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
Moreover, I am confident that the Children Bill, 1999, which recently passed all stages in the Oireachtas, will have a significant effect in preventing the committal of public order offences by young people. On a related matter, the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2000, significantly strengthened the provisions against the sale or supply of intoxicating liquor to underage persons. To complement this, the age card scheme, which I launched last year, allows any person who has reached the age of 18 years to apply for an age card at his/her local Garda station in order to confirm that they have attained the legal age for the purchase of intoxicating liquor.
In summary, I am satisfied that existing legislation is adequate and effective, although the situation is, of course, kept under ongoing review.