Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

The Independent Deputies deal with real issues every day and we propose sensible solutions to this matter. I commend and pay tribute to the late Ms Donna Cleary, a constituent of mine shot down in a drugs-related incident. I also remember all the victims of crime throughout this State. These are real people, our citizens, and we should stand up and defend their rights.

The heroin crisis that causes much misery in this country is appalling. Drug-related crime spirals out of control while our Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform seems to have his head stuck in the sand and does nothing about it. The Independent Deputies challenge the Minister and the Government to do something about it. We also propose many sensible solutions. The criminal justice system must be reformed to give greater respect and protection to witnesses and victims during criminal cases so that intimidation can be minimised. This is the sad reality for many people in this State, particularly for many on the north side of Dublin.

I wish to put forward a number of proposals to deal with crime. We need more judges. Preliminary hearings should be held with a view to shortening trials. We must establish a dedicated witness, victim and family liaison officer scheme. The courts need to operate between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. We need more support for disadvantaged schools, which should be targeted with extra resources, particularly counselling and family therapy sessions. We need more community gardaí on the beat and I urge the Minister to develop Operation Anvil against the armed gangs. These are sensible proposals which we need to adopt. The House heard from my colleagues about airports that are open to private aircraft. Let us not forget that we have a major issue with the coast of Ireland where people use boats and yachts to smuggle in drugs.

The Minister is handling the administration of justice in a disastrous way. For example, the annual cost of keeping a prisoner in custody is €90,000, almost a 10% increase on last year's average. Some 85% of committals in 2005 were for non-violent offences. Some 90% of women committed to a prison in 2005 were there for non-violent offences and 78% of all committals under sentence in 2005 were for 12 months or less. The drug barons and armed criminals should be behind bars, not these people who are involved in petty crime and smaller issues related to broader society. This is an important debate. It is essential that we target resources at the most needy in society, put in a proper, honest and decent policing structure and listen to the views of the Independent Deputies.

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