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

I am advised that figures provided by the Central Statistics Office show that the number of recorded offences involving a knife has decreased each year since 2010. Notwithstanding these statistical trends, the impact of these crimes is quite serious and I assure the Deputy that I am in ongoing contact with the Garda Commissioner on a wide range of crime and policing concerns, including knife and other violent crime. This is a challenging situation for the Garda every day of the week, as we know.

A comprehensive and robust legal framework is in place with respect to knife crime, including heavy penalties for breaches of the laws concerned.

Under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the maximum penalty for possessing a knife in a public place without good reason or lawful authority has been increased from one to five years. The Garda also has an extended power of search without warrant in relation to knives and offensive weapons.

Deputy Niall Collins will also be aware that the Garda Síochána proactively targets public disorder and anti-social behaviour through the strategic deployment of Garda resources. The night-time economy is a big issue in the context of the kind of offences that take place late at night. The detective units and divisional crime task forces are utilised to provide a high-visibility presence. The CCTV that is available in Garda stations around the country is used to ensure that gardaí are deployed where crowds are gathering and where there is anti-social behaviour late at night. The increased recruitment will help with that visible policing as well. This is the way to deal with this issue.

Although knife crime is obviously very serious, and can have dreadful consequences in individual cases, it is important to note that the figures are decreasing.

See this speech in context