David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A number of issues have been raised. One is the need for quantitative and qualitative research in the area. Another concerns legislation and the need to strengthen and take the vagueness out of the Act. I invite the group, if it wishes, to revert to us on what it would like changed and how, for example, to specify sections which should be removed or inserted in the Act or how they should be worded. The committee can then engage with the two Houses to have it done, urgently and quickly if necessary. This is something we could do and we could include the amendments in a criminal law Bill, if necessary, in some shape or form. If the group wished to do that, it would be very helpful. The other issue concerns the Garda Síochána and, as Deputy McGrath has pointed out, there are extra gardaí coming on the scene as we speak and hopefully many more in the not too distant future.

I wish to draw the witnesses' attention to some work we did ourselves some time ago. Mr. Guiney mentioned anti-social behaviour orders, ASBOs, and quite insightfully pointed out the fact that, as part of the ASBO regime, there are other supports which are given to people who may have personal and other problems. We did some work earlier in the year on community courts. An integral part of this is the support structure that would be in place. Dublin City Business Association was involved in that at the time also. In cities such as New York, the community courts appear to have worked extremely well, effectively and quickly with the support structures that were tied to them. The committee proposed that one would be established in Dublin on a pilot basis. It might be another way of dealing with the issue. They work by having the person who caused the offence before the court almost the next day and he or she is almost invariably asked to do some community service. However, the person is also supported in other ways, such as socially, psychologically and sometimes financially. I note the penal reform report recently issued by the Department is in agreement with the committee on this issue and states it is something that should be done. That is hopefully being worked on as we speak.