Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill, as justice is an area about which I feel strongly. As public representatives, our offices are inundated every day with issues about justice. This is a very complex Bill and the explanatory memorandum outlines its details, but it is worthwhile and it gives us an opportunity to put some facts on the record.

The Bill is entitled an Act to amend and extend the powers of the Garda Síochána in relation to the investigation of offences, to amend criminal law and procedure in other respects, including provision for the admissibility in evidence of certain witness statements, an extension of the circumstances in which the Attorney General in the case or, if he or she is the prosecuting authority in a trial, the Director of Public Prosecutions may refer a question of law to the Supreme Court for determination or take an appeal in criminal proceedings, a restriction of the offences to which section 10(4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851 applies, an amendment of the jurisdiction of the District Court in criminal matters, the imposition of fixed charges in respect of certain offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, an amendment of the requirements for the issue of a firearms certificate and an amendment of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851 relating to the issue and execution of certain warrants, and to provide for related matters. The Bill proposes a number of amendments to the criminal law, particularly in the area of criminal investigations, which will enhance Garda powers in tackling crime and will generally improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system.

It is one thing to enhance the powers of the Garda, but without a sufficient number of gardaí on our streets, little can be achieved by giving extra powers to existing gardaí. In my constituency of Tipperary South, a sizeable country town like Fethard has a mere two gardaí. It had three gardaí in 1997, when the Government came to power, which is proof that this country is going backwards rather than forwards on justice issues. The Minister talks quite a bit about increasing the number of gardaí to 14,000 members on a phased basis, but in Fethard, the gardaí are being phased out in a town that is growing. At a time when crime is rampant, one cannot pick up a local newspaper without reading about another spate of robberies or petty vandalism. However, the people of Fethard must be feeling very insecure as their safety is in the hands of this Government. A number of Oireachtas Members were called to a public meeting only three weeks ago in Fethard. A packed local hall was told of incident after incident and of how many people are living in fear in the town. In my regular weekly clinic last Monday, three people came to me to complain about anti-social behaviour in the town. To expect two gardaí to look after a town the size of Fethard is very unfair. There is a number of small Garda stations near Fethard which have been closed. That meeting brought home to me the fear in which many people, especially the elderly, are living in their communities. It is grossly unfair that when lifestyles have improved everywhere, the quality of life for some has not improved as they are living in fear.

Clonmel is a large town of 24,500 people. Unfortunately, it has been dogged by vandalism and anti-social behaviour, yet the number of gardaí in the town has increased by a mere two members during the lifetime of this Government. This is not good enough. Without a sufficient number of gardaí on our streets, a small number of thugs are empowered to terrorise decent people and rob them in their homes and businesses.

Robbery is rampant in rural Ireland. In many cases, I suspect they are committed by people seeking money to feed a bad drug habit.

The insufficient number of gardaí has undoubtedly contributed significantly to the flood of drugs coming here. Every small town and village is affected by the drugs scourge these days. In fairness, with the meagre resources available, the Garda has done a fine job in tackling the drug epidemic but more resources are badly needed. Every now and then the Garda seizes a large consignment of drugs, which is to be welcomed. This shows it can carry out first class surveillance and intelligence operations, especially in respect of drugs. However, a significant amount of illegal drugs are still making their way here, largely due to under-resourcing of the Garda Síochána.

Drugs tear families and communities apart. Small time dealers operate all over the country who are often beholden to the serious criminal gangs importing drugs here. The drugs trade is giving criminal gangs a foothold in every town and village in Ireland. Sadly, my own constituency of Tipperary South is as affected by the drugs scourge as everywhere else. Parents are worried about their children. They need to know there are enough gardaí on the streets to deal with the drugs problem effectively. Until we have a sufficient number of gardaí on our streets, Criminal Justice Bills, such as the one before the House, will do very little. If gardaí were on the street dealing with the drug problems things would not be as bad as they are.

It pains me every time I hear people say somebody's money was got from drugs or such a person bought something with money made from drugs. The rumour machine is working in every town and village about where people are getting their money. The gardaí need resources to tackle this problem. I have said before in this House that the drugs scourge is not being tackled. This is a very worrying development which is not being seriously tackled. It is not a political issue. Some weeks ago the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, spoke about the issue in certain parts of Dublin city and in country towns. Drugs are a scourge tearing communities and families apart. Parents do not know or understand the extent of the problem until their children become involved with drugs when they go to college or go out into the workforce.

The drug problem is the most serious issue facing us and it requires to be tackled urgently. The problem is worldwide. Some years ago we were considered to be very fond of drink and there was a significant problem with alcoholism. The late Fr. Theobald Mathew, a native of my constituency, tackled that problem. We need somebody like him or some Government institution to tackle the drug problem. We must educate parents on the problems associated with drugs. More importantly, the problems related to drugs and drug taking must be brought home to young people in universities and night clubs. If anything comes from debate, it must be the need to introduce legislation on this matter and the need to have a figurehead or a Government agency to deal with this terrible problem.

In Carrick-on-Suir the number of gardaí in the town has remained static at 16 members since the Government came into office. Likewise, the figure remains static in Tipperary town at 31. Where is the evidence in South Tipperary that this Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform cares about people's needs? Where Garda numbers have increased, the increase has been pathetic. The number of gardaí was increased from 12 to 14 in Cashel. This is most unfair to the people of South Tipperary. When will South Tipperary have sufficient numbers of gardaí to ensure that justice is administered comprehensively?

The sad situation in the urban areas of South Tipperary is matched by a similar lack of resources in our villages. Right across my constituency, which the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley knows, rural Garda stations from Emly to Grangemockler are unattended most of the week. The closure of those Garda stations is unacceptable. The local Garda station should be a focal point of the village community, no different to the church, school or hurling pitch. The local Garda station was always part of the fabric of the rural community. People depended on it and they went to the local garda. Young people had confidence in the local garda. We are missing out on a very key aspect of policing when we neglect those stations, of which there are many throughout the country. A small amount of resources could make it practical for a garda to work out of each one.

There is an important community aspect to the work of local gardaí. A garda in the locality can get to know young people, their habits, faults and failings. When I went to school, we had a very healthy respect for the two gardaí stationed in my local community. At that time 80 children were in the local school. Although there are now 160 children in the school, there is no garda there. It is pathetic that this is allowed to happen. In addition to more rural Garda stations we need more gardaí on the beat in very town.

If we had more gardaí on the beat they would build up a better relationship with people, especially young people. The presence of the gardaí late at night when people are socialising would deter disorderly behaviour and could thwart criminals in their activities. Garda morale is at an all-time low under the Government. Instead of concentrating the few garda we have in tackling serious criminality, gardaí are standing on busy streets checking simple things like tax discs and speed, all important matters, but what affects people most is the widespread criminality. Priority must be given to protecting people as that is most important in the work of the Garda.

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