Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I will be brief. The Minister for Justice and Equality is in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner and is always posing the question of what the Government can do through legislation and resources; depending on what is available, the requests will be met. It is something dear to the Minister's heart, as I am sure the Deputy already knows.

There are actions which will probably have a far greater impact on the reduction in burglaries. For example, Muintir na Tíre has established 1,345 community alert groups, and we all know of the success of neighbourhood watch schemes. Those processes will have a major impact. The Deputy is probably well aware that when either the individuals or gangs involved in burglaries are brought to court, it is usually after a series of burglaries, and forensics only match one burglary with another. When that type of information is held within the organisation, it can be seriously effective.

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