Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Gannon for raising this issue and I will bring his description directly to the attention of the Minister, Deputy McEntee.

It is important, as we all agree, that people feel safe and are safe in their local communities, and Dublin 7 is no exception. Community safety is not solely the responsibility of the Department of Justice or An Garda Síochána. Rather, it is a whole-of-government responsibility. On behalf of the Minister, I will outline the all-of-government approach to community safety but I will speak first to the role An Garda Síochána plays and how the Government supports it.

The Government is committed to taking action to tackle crime across our country. This includes: giving An Garda Síochána the tools and technology to fight crime in a digital era by rolling out improved CCTV and body-worn cameras, the pilot scheme for which launched on 30 May; doubling the maximum sentence for assault causing harm to ten years; and, most importantly, giving local people and local representatives a real say in how to make their communities safer through the new community safety partnerships. I am assured that the distribution of gardaí is kept under review by the Garda authorities in light of any emerging crime trends or policing needs.

An Garda Síochána maintains a proactive approach to policing the city centre in order to reduce crime and keep people safe. Members of the Garda mounted unit, dog unit, armed support unit and Dublin metropolitan region roads policing unit support Operation Citizen by way of high-visibility beats and mobile patrols, particularly at weekends and in support of organised events. However, I will draw the Minister’s attention to the Deputy’s remarks regarding the lack of visibility in Dublin 7. The Garda national public order unit is also available to support regular units and has recently been issued with larger incapacitant sprays, as well as smaller public order shields.

In addition, Operation Limmat is the Dublin metropolitan region’s public order reduction strategy. Operation Limmat promotes a pro-arrest and early-investigation approach to incidents of assault, together with driving high-visibility policing in public places to act as a deterrent to prevent and reduce assaults and public order offences in the region. Operation Irene has also commenced in the Dublin metropolitan region and runs from 1 June to 1 September 2024. This is a multiagency operation with the key objective to prevent and detect antisocial behaviour, combat underage alcohol consumption and the consumption of alcohol in public space through the enforcement of legislation regulating the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol. The aim of the operation is to enhance community safety and confidence.

Again, I reiterate that from the description the Deputy has given, it does not seem that many of these are in action on the ground. I will forward his remarks directly to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and ask them to engage with him to make sure this is actually happening on the ground.

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