Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their presentations. These are ongoing themes, not just in the context of this committee but also in discussions in society in general on the visibility of policing, follow through by the Director of Public Prosecutions to the courts, the leniency shown by some judges, the revolving door and the never ending cycle of criminality. For the professions and trades represented, evidently there are two types of criminal at work. There are those who are at the very end of life in being drug addicts and there are the more professional elements who engage in shop lifting and steal jewellery and so forth. There are probably varying levels of crime which has an impact on businesses, staff and employers.

Will the representative of the Irish Pharmacy Union tell us whether there is any correlation between proximity to drug addiction centres, including methadone clinics in certain areas of the city, and the levels of crime experienced by its members? Is crime more prevalent in inner city and more built up areas? Is the lack of drug support therapies having an effect in the increased prevalence of crime? Mr. Connolly said crime levels had increased by 9% in 2017 in comparison to the levels in 2016. There is obviously an issue in that regard and I ask him to comment further on it.

Delegates also referred to the non-reporting of crime. While I understand people may have lost faith in the judicial, prosecutorial and investigative systems, there is an onus on organisations such as the IPU to encourage members to report crime. The delegates might think that sitting here it is easy for me to say that, but it is important that all crime be reported, even if only from the point of view of having accurate statistics which can show up deficiencies in the capacity to follow up on crime. If crimes are not reported, An Garda Síochána will not have the right statistics and pressure will not be put on the political system to allocate additional resources to policing, as well as the prosecutorial and judicial systems.

Reference has been made to insurance companies. Are they placing additional burdens on businesses, over and above what the delegates believe to be reasonable, in protecting property? For example, are they insisting on there being two staff on the floor in a jewellery shop at all times? Do they expect CCTV equipment and other security devices of a certain standard to be installed?

Perhaps I look at the streets of Ireland in the past through rose tinted glasses, but I remember An Garda Síochána being more visually present. Do the organisations represented link with other business groups or chambers of commerce to make their views known on this issue on a continual basis? I have been talkingad nauseamabout the need for An Garda Síochána to be visually present on streets as visible policing has a deterrent effect. Do the delegates believe things are improving in that regard?

On threats to staff, society is becoming more violent. Statistics show that the number of violent burglaries has increased, as has the number of assaults on streets. A lot of it is due to the new tiger, or whatever it is called now.

Alcohol consumption is increasing, while drug consumption is probably also increasing. What steps do the delegates take when an assault occurs on their premises or there is a violent raid? Do their respective organisations provide support or do they depend on statutory bodies such as the Health Service Executive to provide support such as counselling services?