Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend this Bill to the House and welcome the fact that the Minister for Justice and Equality is in the House today for this debate. The fact that the Minister is establishing a new independent policing body is extremely important. It will enhance the role of An Garda Síochána, whose members do fantastic work on the ground, and it all comes back to policing services on the ground.

I want to draw the Minister's attention to issues that have arisen in my own constituency of Limerick in recent weeks, and particularly in rural east Limerick, an area that I represent. Mr. John O'Donoghue suffered a heart attack when a burglary was being committed in his home. He was living in Toomaline, Doon, and his death has shocked the community in the greater Doon, Cappamore and Murroe areas of east Limerick. Burglary should be tackled with a three-pronged approach. Number one, it is an issue of policing, and this is particularly true in east Limerick and the villages of Cappamore, Doon, Murroe, Pallasgreen and Oola. Historically, Oola and Doon were under part of the Tipperary district, which is geographically much closer, but with the realignment of geographical areas, they are now under Bruff, which is a longer distance away, with the main district headquarters based in Bruff itself. This is a problem that the Minister inherited from the previous Administration, which closed Templemore in 2009, resulting in no Garda recruitment for several years. I very much welcome the fact that the Minister has now fast-tracked Garda recruitment in the last year, with 550 new recruits in Templemore. I also welcome the fact that the Minister has made a commitment to continue recruiting new gardaí in the coming years. Indeed, I would urge that, finances permitting, the numbers be increased. Due to a combination of gardaí being out sick and retiring, east Limerick in particular is down in terms of the number of gardaí on the ground. I would like to see extra gardaí in east Limerick. There is a need for at least one or two additional gardaí on the ground. I have spoken to the chief superintendent in Limerick and acknowledge that the gardaí are doing fantastic work on the ground. I would hope that extra gardaí can be deployed to the Limerick district and particularly to the east Limerick area, encompassing Oola, Doon, Cappamore, Murroe and Pallasgreen.

The Minister will be bringing the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015 before the House next week, which I very much welcome. Data shows that 75% of burglaries are committed by 25% of criminals. That is borne out both anecdotally and in fact. The aforementioned Bill needs to be very strong, with increased sentences for repeat offenders and a tightening up of the bail laws. I will be involved in the debate on the legislation next week and I feel we must send out a strong message to burglars that if they are caught they will serve serious time and may face the withdrawal of their social welfare benefits. In recent weeks I have met people in the rural and urban areas of east Limerick whose houses have been broken into. In many cases they are elderly people living on their own. Burglars are targeting jewellery and cash at the moment and in many cases they are specifically targeting the elderly. When one meets such burglary victims they speak of the invasion of privacy, their loss of confidence and the fact that homes they have bought or built and lived in for many years have been violated. It is just not on, and that is why I welcome the forthcoming legislation. It needs to be very strong in telling burglars that if they are caught they will pay.

I am aware that a review is currently under way of the regulation of cash for gold businesses. While there are lots of respectable jewellery shops in operation, cash for gold businesses mean that burglars are targeting gold. The regulation of such businesses is not tight enough. Jewellery is being stolen and brought to certain premises and is gone within a couple of days, effectively. We must regulate this area by requiring formal identification, thus enabling goods to be traced back. Otherwise, the job of An Garda Síochána is virtually impossible because they cannot trace the origin of stolen goods. That legislation needs to be fast-tracked. While I accept that there may be difficulties with regard to legitimate businesses, that should not deter the Government from enacting legislation which ensures that if people steal goods they will be tracked down and put in jail. It is very simple and I am very strong on this issue because of the people I have met.

I wish to refer again to the issue of extra gardaí on the ground. I live in Castletroy, which is an urban area. There have been numerous burglaries there recently, in many cases involving elderly people. The key issue is that we need gardaí on the ground who know their beat. It comes down to manpower. I understand that the Minister is working against the backdrop of no Garda recruitment since 2009.

That decision should not have been made. People strongly value law and order. Everyone should be able to sleep at night without fear of a break-in. I know of elderly people who will not go home or cannot sleep at night because of this fear. I know people with businesses in rural villages who close their business at 10 p.m. because they are afraid their premises will be burgled or visited by people who will cause them hassle. My primary role is to represent people in Limerick city and east County Limerick and I am sending out a message, loud and clear, that people have had enough, especially elderly people living on their own.

The legislation to be introduced next week is a great development. I will peruse it to ensure it covers all bases. Persons engaging in burglary must know they will serve time for the crime. Victims must be placed at the centre of the system and have their rights vindicated. People must not be afraid to go to sleep at night. Deterrents must also be introduced. For example, burglars would be deterred if stolen goods could not be off-loaded quickly and without trace. Proper tracing mechanisms are needed and regulations must be introduced for cash-for-gold shops. I have met people who have had wedding and engagement rings stolen. Such items are extremely precious to people. Burglars are targeting elderly people in urban and rural areas.

I hope the Minister receives financial support in the upcoming budget to allow her to invest additional resources in Garda recruitment. She must be able to increase the number of recruits in Templemore and deploy gardaí on the ground. A minimum of one garda is needed in rural east Limerick covering the areas of Cappamore, Doon, Murroe, Pallasgreen and Oola. This would provide assurance that burglars would be tracked and gardaí on the ground would observe exactly what is happening. First and foremost, however, is the need to place victims centre-stage.

I commend the Bill, which encapsulates what policing is all about. I have spoken about local issues but this is an urban and rural issue. Gardaí must be visible on the ground in rural east County Limerick and additional gardaí must be deployed throughout Limerick city, including in areas such as Castletroy, in order that people feel safe.

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