Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 June 2011
168 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons arrested and charged with theft on the Luas, on the DART or on Dublin Bus for each of the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the number of convictions secured to date; and the additional steps that gardaí will take to deal with these issues. [14845/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that liaison mechanisms are in place between An Garda Síochána and service providers, including Luas, Dublin Bus and Iarnród Éireann, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) at both senior management and local levels. Inspectors from the DMR Traffic Corps have been nominated to liaise with each of the service providers to address any policing issues which arise.
Policing measures, including high-visibility patrols and covert operations, are in place in Garda Districts and Divisions along the Luas and Iarnród Éireann lines and on Dublin buses to support security measures put in place by Luas, Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus management. These include dedicated initiatives, particularly at night, during festivities and other occasions when there is a high volume of traffic. Crime trends relating to thefts, public disorder and other anti-social behaviour associated with public transportation are closely monitored by senior Garda management within the DMR, and appropriate action is undertaken as necessary.
Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, the CSO is now compiling, publishing and responding to queries regarding recorded crime statistics.
I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.
