Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I congratulate Deputy Brian Lenihan on his appointment as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Most Members of the House will agree it is one of the most onerous Ministries to hold, but I do not doubt that he has the capacity, experience, ability and skill to discharge his duties in this difficult Ministry. I know he will have the support of all Members as he seeks to deal with the difficult issues surrounding crime that face the country.

I take this opportunity, perhaps the last one I will have, to compliment the outgoing Commissioner, Noel Conroy, on his successful tenure as Commissioner of the Garda Síochána. During the years I was a member of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights he always made himself available and gave much time to assist it in its work. He was also assisted on many occasions by the incoming commissioner, commissioner designate, Fachtna Murphy. I wish him well in his work over the coming years.

I welcome this opportunity to discuss and make statements on crime. Like others, I welcome the format of the debate, namely, that it is not by way of motion in an adversarial way with accusation and counter accusation. We need to send a clear message from the House, political system and Government to the criminal fraternity and general society that we are united on one element, namely, that we are sending the clearest message to the new breed of criminal, the new crime boss and new criminal gangs who operate here that there is unanimity across the political spectrum that in respect of whatever measures need to be taken we will not be found wanting. As in the case of Northern Ireland policy, there will be cross party unanimity as to what needs to be done to tackle some of the most serious issues. We are dealing with an entirely new breed of ruthless and sophisticated criminal — people who have no respect for the State. A parallel can be drawn between this type of criminal activity and the type of criminal activity practised by so-called republican paramilitary groups in the past whereby these criminals' respect for the State is non-existent and their fear of the State can often be non-existent. We must introduce measures and enforce the existing legislation in a way to reverse that trend that has developed in recent years.

Before dealing with some of the issues it is important to keep a level of perspective on the crime levels facing this country. What has given rise to this debate is the development of serious and unwelcome trends in recent weeks and months in regard to gun crime in particular. That is a worry but we need to keep a level of perspective on it. While one crime is one too many, any interpretation of the crime figures must factor in the increase in population here but also take into account that, by any international standard, crime levels here are relatively low. Serious crime levels here in comparison to other western European countries are low. In 1995, with a population of 3.6 million here there were 28 crimes per 1,000 of the population, while in the UK in the same period crimes per 1,000 of the population were 111, five times the level of crime here at the time. We must keep some level of perspective in all of this.

While crime statistics taken over time are an indication of trends in the crimes committed, we should never lose sight of the fact that each crime is one too many. Crime statistics, of their nature, cannot give a picture of the suffering and damage caused within communities. In that respect, I am mindful particularly of public order offences and anti-social behaviour which, by their nature, tend not to make the headline crime figures but for many people and communities throughout the country, this level of crime can impact on them more than some of the more serious crimes including that of murder. It sounds a contradiction that a community can be affected more seriously by anti-social behaviour on a Saturday night where windows are broken, elderly people are victimised and people are intimidated than by a murder, but that is the case and we must not lose sight of that.

Gun crime is a cause of concern. Since the beginning of August the Minister pointed out that there were 18 murders and manslaughters. That is not acceptable. There are no depths to which the drug-fueled and ruthless criminals of today, particularly those involved in the drugs trade, are prepared to stoop to avenge slights and enforce their particular brand of authority within their criminal gangs. Therefore, we need to match that with an equal level of determination and ruthlessness to tackle them head on. In that regard, I am mindful of using the most sophisticated methods, including the most modern and technically advanced levels of surveillance. As the Minister will be aware, currently, there is debate Britain as to the admissibility of surveillance evidence, covert evidence and bugging, electronic and eavesdropping technology. I see no reason we should not examine and use, in so far as it is practical given the costs involved, such modern technology to tackle these gangs head on. While respecting constitutional safeguards which we have always done here, I see no reason we should not use an enhanced level of sophisticated, modern eavesdropping technology on gangs, admissible in court where practicable, to secure convictions of these people who have no respect for the State.

In my constituency in Limerick we have had a particular problem with gangs over a number of years but mostly with gangs centred around certain families in limited areas throughout the city. Despite much media commentary and coverage, the Garda and the organised crime unit at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation have had significant successes. They need to be complimented on keeping a lid on what could be an altogether worse situation.

The Criminal Justice Act initiated in the previous Dáil in 2006 introduced some new stringent measures in terms of minimum sentencing, firearms control and evidence which are welcome, but I echo what Deputy Charles Flanagan said about the provision of minimum sentencing. It is a seriously worrying trend that the courts are not implementing and enforcing minimum sentences which are laid down by the Oireachtas. The Minister sets out the priorities on the advice of the House and Government. We set out the priority areas that we want to tackle and it is up to the courts to enforce those priorities and the minimum sentences which we set down.

The Minister will be familiar with John Fitzgerald's report which was adopted unanimously by Government, which I wholeheartedly welcome. In it Mr. Fitzgerald suggested that in order to contain — that is the word he used — a difficult situation in very troubled areas of the city 100 extra gardaí need to be put on the beat immediately. I implore the Minister to make sure that all appropriate resources are made available to make that recommendation a reality in Limerick. In so far as it has been implemented in part already, it has been a success. Mr. Fitzgerald made the point in his report, with which I wholeheartedly agree, that there is no point in the Government expending billions of euro on regenerating troubled parts of our city unless there is matching resources for the Garda to tackle and contain the criminal fraternity and criminal problems which gave rise to those difficulties.

While I said that crimes of anti-social behaviour are not included in the headline figures, collectively, they cause a serious threat to our communities and we need to tackle such crime head on. I welcome what the Minister said about the number of warning notices which have been issued.

I welcome this opportunity to have a seriously constructive and informed debate on this issue. I wish the Minister well in his new job and reiterate that he will have the support of this side of the House in his endeavours to bring forward his priorities and implement them in government.

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