Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 3

Written Answers. - Crime Levels.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

138 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he intends to take arising from the serious increase in crime disclosed in the provisional crime statistics for 2002, especially the further increase in the level of violent assaults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12763/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

410 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he intends to take to prevent street violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12993/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 410 together.

The provisional figures for 2002 are a cause for concern. While the statistics are still undergoing a validation process within the Garda organisation – and are not, therefore, final figures – it is not expected that the validated figures will differ significantly from this provisional data.

On the publication of the provisional statistics for 2002, I gave a commitment in the Oireachtas that the preliminary crime figures would be made available on a quarterly basis as soon as possible after the end of each quarter, and I was, therefore, pleased to publish the statistics for the first quarter of this year as soon as I received them from the Garda Commissioner.

The significant reduction of 9% over the same quarter in 2002 revealed in those statistics is welcome news. It is to be hoped that this is an indication of a return to falling crime figures. However, as I stated last week, it would be precipitate to draw too many conclusions from a change in any one quarter.

I am strongly supportive of specialised and focused Garda operations, such as Operation Encounter, to counter late night disorder and is determined that the resources of the entire criminal justice system are used effectively to combat crime. I will continue to ensure that the gardaí have all necessary powers to tackle this problem, and will consider carefully recommendations for legislative changes which have been made in recent reports, including the report on public order published by the National Crime Council on 9 May.

As the Deputy is aware the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill is currently awaiting debate in the Seanad. I also intend to bring forward shortly a new Intoxicating Liquor Bill, which will respond to certain of the recommendations in the Crime Council's report, as well as the strategic task force on alcohol's interim report of May 2002, and those contained in the reports of the Commission on Liquor Licensing.