Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Working with communities to tackle public disorder and reduce anti-social behaviour is a key priority for an Garda Síochána whose approach includes a strong focus on quality of life issues and collaboration with local authorities to help address the causes of anti-social behaviour in communities. With specific reference to the forthcoming Hallowe'en period, I am advised that gardaí will put measures in place in every division, in particular in the Dublin metropolitan region and Border divisions, to prevent and detect the organised importation and sale of fireworks. This work will be carried out through a specifically designed operation, namely, Operation Tombola. The operation focuses also on preventing associated public disorder and anti-social behaviour through the incremental deployment of resources, including the Garda public order unit, to augment local plans as appropriate. A number of strong legislative provisions are available to gardaí to combat anti-social behaviour, including the Criminal Damage Act 1991, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003, and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts 2003 and 2008.

The report of the Commission on the Future of Policing placed a particular emphasis on the importance of community policing, in which front-line gardaí are highly visible and engaged in communities, developing partnerships with other public agencies and services to deliver a multi-agency approach to community safety. The new Garda operating model and revised divisional structure, which was announced recently by the Garda Commissioner, meets a key priority of the future of policing report, namely, the four-year implementation plan to give effect to the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing. In line with the ethos of community policing, the new model is intended to provide more visible gardaí on the front line and devolve more power and decision-making responsibility to chief superintendents leading divisions nationally. That will ensure a more localised and responsive community police service reflecting local needs, including those of Deputy Broughan's constituents. Garda visibility is a key element in tackling anti-social behaviour. In that context, I note the growing numbers joining the Garda in our ongoing recruitment process.

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