Michael Conaghan (Dublin South Central, Labour)

I thank the Minister of State for his response. It is important to reiterate that the stakes for Dublin city are high. An unsafe environment is bad for its economy and businesses. Shops, restaurants, pubs and other businesses will suffer if the population does not feel safe on our streets. It will cost jobs. A city with a reputation for crime and anti-social behaviour will turn tourists away. Some 59% of all overseas tourists to Ireland visit Dublin and it is their positive experiences that will encourage the next wave of tourists. This scenario must be maintained.

The recent report by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Andrew Montague, on anti-social behaviour reads: "The long term vibrancy of Dublin city is thus of critical importance for the Irish economy." Protecting this will require initiative, resources, research and concerted action taken in partnership between all stakeholders. In this regard, joint policing has not been properly developed in Dublin or the country. It is a pale imitation of what obtains in other cities. We need to examine how the strategy has evolved. For example, there are up to 25 full-time staff working in the field of joint policing in city hall in Belfast. Dublin city is so much the poorer because there is nothing similar here. I urge the Minister for Justice and Equality to rekindle the concept of joint policing. I would like to see a ministerial report on that work being submitted to the House shortly.

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