Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have circulated a reply to the Deputy with figures in tabular form. I hope he has a copy of it. They are the most readily available figures from An Garda Síochána on anti-social behaviour warnings. The figures are broken down by Garda region. I hope the Deputy finds the information useful.

I can assure Deputy Lahart that An Garda Síochána remains committed to tackling public disorder and anti-social behaviour by continuing to work with communities to reduce this type of behaviour and enhance community safety. The Garda approach includes a strong focus on quality-of-life issues and collaboration with local authorities, businesses, especially in the matter of the night-time economy, and other stakeholders to help address the causes of anti-social behaviour.

In setting up the ASBO regime in 2007, these interventions, including warnings, good behaviour contracts and referrals to the juvenile diversion programme, were intended to address the problem behaviour. The rationale was that if they succeeded, there would be no need to apply to the courts for an order. It was only if they failed to lead to a behaviour adjustment by the person in question that a court order would then be applied for.

It is widely acknowledged the use of anti-social behaviour orders is only suitable in certain limited circumstances. Indeed, it is only one crime prevention option open to An Garda Síochána in tackling this type of crime. As the Deputy will be aware, An Garda Síochána already employs a wide range of operational measures aimed at tackling public-order offences and anti-social behaviour. These measures are underpinned by a comprehensive legal framework. Of course, addressing local community concerns on public order and anti-social behaviour is a key focus in An Garda Síochána's national community policing model. A range of strong legislative provisions are available to An Garda Síochána in numerous legislative instruments recently enacted in the House.

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