Crime Levels.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2009

Tuesday, 24 November 2009

Ceisteanna (275)

Mary Upton

Ceist:

306 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the statistics relating to public order offences in the period since the early closing times of off-licences was introduced; the public order offences for the length of time before the early closing times was introduced; his views on whether this decision has led to a reduction in public order offences; the reason he has not activated the test purchase of alcohol by persons under 18 years to ensure compliance with the age limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42752/09]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

Draft guidelines in respect of the procedures to be followed during test purchasing operations, which had been prepared by a Working Group chaired by my Department, are now to be finalised on the basis of formal consultations with the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána and the Minister for Health and Children, as provided for in the legislation. These consultations are well advanced at this stage. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to her.