John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will briefly take up some of the points raised by Deputy Rock. He mentioned community text alerts that exist in some parts of the country and I would fully echo what he said. In my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, most communities have a text alert system and it works very well. I can get alerts in my office in Leinster House regarding what is happening in my home parish of Tullogher Rosbercon. I might not be able to do much about them, but it is reassuring at least to know that the community is alerted. The system works well and the community gardaí involved in promoting it are doing great work. Crime patterns are different nowadays, so it is important to use every aspect of new technology that is available both to gardaí and the wider community. The text alert system is not a hugely expensive one but it is quite effective, so we should ensure it is rolled out to more communities, both urban and rural, throughout the country.

Since the new motorway network was opened up, the perception exists that it provides improved ease of access to more isolated rural communities for those engaged in criminal activity. As a result, there is a strong case for CCTV facilities to be made available both on motorway entry and exits, including the national road network. A few months ago, in the context of road traffic offences, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport said that CCTV might become more widely available. CCTV would certainly be effective in monitoring the activities of known criminal gangs involved in burglary, in particular. There is therefore a compelling case for installing CCTV at major entry and exit points on the national road network.

On the issue of resources, Deputy Noel Rock is correct that a two-tier system of pay, a legacy of the economic collapse of eight years ago, exists across the public service and not just in the Garda. It is indefensible that new entrants are almost discriminated against for being younger. As the economy improves, I hope this anomaly will be removed. Not to put too fine a point on it, some of the representative groups and the unions in the public service ensured existing members were looked after while those coming after them were sold short. That anomaly should be corrected.

The major crime figures in the country are actually moving downwards in the right direction. The figures for burglary, in particular, have decreased significantly, a fact worth remembering. Significant investment has also been made in respect of the cars available to the Garda. While it seems like an obvious matter, the Garda fleet was outdated in many respects and significant money has been put into it.

I agree with other speakers on the issue of Garda manpower. It is good that in recent years the college at Templemore has come back into operation and that gardaí are being recruited. At the rate of retirement versus the rate of recruitment, however, there has not been not much of a difference. To reach the critical mass required, it is essential that more resources are put into the hiring of extra gardaí as, hopefully, the economic situation continues to improve.

As someone who spent almost two years of his life in the dungeon of Leinster House at the banking inquiry - I was greatly rewarded for soldiering at that task - I have a particular interest in the issue of white-collar crime. A previous Minister for Justice and Equality introduced legislation in this regard. While speakers have concentrated on burglary and other obvious offences, there is a category of criminal about which we all know. These criminals were part of the system that brought the economy to its knees but, for the most part, they have almost got away scot free in the context of their activities. I regret that. Ensuring our legislation in respect of white-collar crime reflects the modern world’s approach to these offences is a job for whoever will be the next Minister for Justice and Equality - be it the current incumbent or someone else. Due to the large crowd gathering in the Chamber now, we might know who it will be in the next few hours. There is a job for the next Minister to ensure people who are in positions where they can bring about events that cause economic collapse - as happened in this country - suffer the consequences for what they have visited upon the population. Unfortunately, and unlike in other countries, particularly the United States, many of those who held such positions eight years ago have not been brought to justice for their misdoings.

Several Deputies referred to a recent court judgment on legal aid and a Member of this House. I have never spoken in this House or anywhere else on a decision of any court in the land. I was struck, however, by responses from constituents and others on this recent decision. It absolutely beggars belief that someone in receipt of nearly €90,000 in salary plus expenses can be the recipient of legal aid when so many people, especially on the civil end of legal aid, cannot get those resources for civil proceedings. I refer, in particular, to those involved in family law matters whose circumstances can be very straitened as a result of a family break-up or outstanding loan issues relating to the economic collapse. When they see a Member of the Oireachtas getting legal aid, they are rightly disgusted. The Deputy in question should do the honourable thing and not take it. He does his job admirably for the people he represents and is a vocal Member of the Oireachtas. However, the prospect that he will have his legal expenses paid, especially when he is in receipt of a sum in excess of €100,000 from the taxpayer annually, is morally unacceptable. He should do the honourable thing in that regard, notwithstanding the court’s decision, erroneous as I might view it, to grant him that legal aid.

Whoever is the next Minister for Justice and Equality and for however long he or she holds that position, he or she has several priority matters to examine, including white-collar crime and the reform of our immigration system. The next Minister could have a serious impact on this and I wish whoever takes this portfolio the very best of luck.

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