I understand, on the basis of contact with the Garda authorities, that although they are not in a position at this stage to produce statistics for the year 2001 that someone is prepared to stand over, the likelihood is that there will be some positives as well as some negatives in them.
With regard to preliminary crime figures per se, I remind the House that no Minister for Justice, to the best of my knowledge, has ever published such figures, as provided by the Garda Síochána. The reason which has always been given for this is that preliminary figures are almost invariably subject to adjustment. As a case in point, the final statistics produced in the Garda Annual Report, 2000 showed significant departures from preliminary information that had been gathered during the year. Prudence dictates, therefore, that one should await the officially published figures.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that crime statistics for the year 2001 are currently undergoing the routine process of validation in Garda districts. I am further informed that this work will not be completed for some time, so it is not possible for me to provide an indicative date for publication at this stage. I am assured that when the compilation process is completed and the report printed, copies will be forwarded to me by the Garda authorities without delay.
At this point, I utterly and categorically reject the suggestion by the Deputy that my response to the incidence of assault has been anything but rapid, committed and well resourced. However, it is important to make the point that law enforcement, while having a crucial role in dealing with the problem, cannot be said to be the sole or ultimate kind of solution to deal with the propensity of some people – and, particularly, some young men – towards violence.
Nevertheless, in terms of the law enforcement response, the Garda Síochána's national public order initiative, Operation Oíche, has been in operation since October 2000. This operation focuses on public disorder, public intoxication, under age drinking, illicit drug use and under age alcohol sales. ‘Hotspots' of criminal activity receive particular Garda attention, with an emphasis on high-visibility patrolling. Moreover, key urban locations are selected for intensive patrolling involving the Garda mounted unit, Garda dog unit and Garda air support unit.
The Garda authorities consider Operation Oíche to have been highly successful to date. Since its introduction, there has been a more visible Garda presence on the streets, particularly at the closing times of licensed premises and night clubs. This operation has taken place against the background of the unprecedented investment which the Government has made in the Garda Síochána.
The number of gardaí has now increased from 10,800 in 1997 to more than 11,700 at present, and it is on target to achieve a strength of 12,000 by the end of the year.
Additional InformationThe Garda Síochána Vote for the year 2002 is €918 million, £723 million, which represents an increase of more than 50 per cent on 1997 levels.
A further significant measure against violent street crime is Garda CCTV. To date, CCTV systems have been installed in Dublin North Central, i.e., O'Connell Street and its surrounding areas, Dublin South Central, i.e., Grafton Street and its surrounding areas and Tralee, County Kerry. A Garda CCTV system is currently nearing completion in Cork city, and I understand that most of the cameras in the system are now fully operational.
In late 2000, I announced that the number of Garda CCTV systems was to be further expanded, and I have allocated more than €15 million for expenditure in this area for the period 2001 to 2003. Garda town centre CCTV systems are now planned for Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Clondalkin, Tallaght, Galway, Limerick, Athlone and Waterford. Moreover, the installation of systems in at least a further six areas will be announced in due course.
I have also recently sought and received Government approval for the drafting – on a priority basis – of a new Criminal Justice (Public Order Enforcement) Bill. The purpose of the Bill is to provide the Garda Síochána with additional powers to tackle anti-social behaviour. It will target drunk and unruly elements who congregate late at night outside or in the vicinity of licensed and other premises, such as fast food outlets, and who by their aggressive and intimidating behaviour threaten the peace and well-being of law-abiding citizens. As announced in the Government's legislation programme on 29 January, 2002, it is planned that the Bill will be published before Easter.
I assure the House that I will continue to do all that is necessary to effectively tackle the problem of assault and violence on our streets, and I am confident that existing measures are paying and will continue to pay dividends in terms of crime prevention and detection.