Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I have already stated to the House, I am extremely conscious of the of the impact of burglary on communities throughout the country and I am determined to continue to take strong action against the criminals involved. My response to burglaries and crime generally is focused on two key objectives: strengthening of the law to get tougher on serious and repeat offenders and investing in the capacity of An Garda Síochána to enforce that law effectively.

Earlier this year I called together the heads of all of the criminal justice agencies to devise a new approach to tackle burglaries. One important factor that emerged was the finding that a large proportion of domestic burglaries are committed by serial offenders. Figures from the Garda Síochána analysis service indicate that 75% of burglaries are committed by 25% of burglars. As I noted earlier, that is why I brought forward the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill, which is targeted at repeat burglars with previous convictions. That will allow for consecutive sentencing where a burglar is being sentenced for multiple offences and allow courts to refuse bail.

Legislation on its own is not enough and we want proper operational policing responses. The Deputy asked about figures. The Garda strategy to counter burglaries and related crimes has been co-ordinated under Operation Fiacla, which has led to 14,672 arrests and 8,358 charges brought to date. I am providing the Commissioner with the means to enhance this operational response. I have already spoken about the investment and recruitment, and this will facilitate further operations, including surveillance. We have also upgraded the surveillance capacity of Garda aircraft.

Taking all of these together, it will make a substantial difference in terms of what we will see and have seen. I am working closely with the Garda Commissioner to finalise details of an enhanced operational response to burglaries and related crimes. I expect to be in a position to make that announcement shortly.

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