Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 1: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to take to combat knife crime in view of the 300% increase in the past four years and a recent report by the Garda Síochána in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32815/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It is encouraging to note that the number of murders involving a knife in the first half of this year dropped significantly to just three. By comparison, there were 33 such crimes in 2007. All such incidents are, of course, to be deplored. This country's law on knives, and offensive weapons generally, is extremely robust. The provisions of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 prohibit the unlawful carrying of knives or articles which have a blade or are sharply pointed, or any other article made or adapted to cause injury. It creates a number of offences. For example, it is an offence for a person, while committing or appearing to commit an offence or in the course of a fight, to produce in a manner likely to intimidate any article likely to inflict serious injury. It also sets out offences for the possession or use of a knife or blade or other sharp instrument without lawful purpose. Our law also prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale, hire or loan of certain weapons.

Earlier this year, when he was considering whether any further strengthening of the law was necessary, my predecessor asked the Garda Commissioner for his views. The advice of the Office of the Attorney General was sought following the receipt of the views and recommendations of the Commissioner. My Department recently received that advice. I intend to bring forward proposals as soon as possible to further strengthen our legislation in this area. Specifically, I am developing proposals to increase search powers, to outlaw items such as samurai swords and to provide that less serious offences which can only be dealt with summarily at present can also be dealt with on indictment, thus incurring heavier penalties. As I have previously explained to the House, an obvious difficulty arises because many knives are household items and become offensive weapons in particular circumstances only. The Garda Síochána proactively targets groups and individuals involved in anti-social and more serious behaviour, which unfortunately can involve the use of knives and similar weapons. It also identifies and tackles hotspots where such behaviour is taking place.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I put it to the Minister that we have a serious problem with crime, particularly knife crime. The Minister has confirmed that the number of murders involving knives and sharp weapons has increased substantially over recent years. There were 18 such murders in 2006, but that figure increased to 34 last year. The Minister has been less than hasty in dealing with the content of the Garda Commissioner's review of this area. Does he agree that it is insufficient, in the present circumstances, for him to engage in a public relations exercise entitled "it's not cool to carry a knife"? Serious knife crime is occurring on a daily basis in every part of the country. Hospital employees are wearing protective vests, particularly at weekends, to shield themselves from knife-wielding youths. More than a public relations exercise is needed. I acknowledge and welcome the Minister's decision to ban the samurai sword, which is something I adverted to in this House in recent months. The Minister and his predecessor had indicated that such a ban was not necessary. Will the Minister ensure that legislation prohibiting such weapons is introduced and enacted at the earliest possible opportunity?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I do not want to be divisive. The Deputy issued a press release about a public relations campaign that I had supposedly initiated. I am not responsible for the campaign in question. The Garda Síochána, under the stewardship of the Garda Commissioner, devised the public awareness campaign. It has nothing to do with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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It is not sufficient.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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No. The Deputy suggested that I was engaging in a public relations exercise. That is not the case.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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It is under the Minister's stewardship.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It is a public awareness campaign like those which have been developed by the police in the UK and the PSNI across the Border. The increasing use of knives is a problem on these islands. As I said in my initial reply, I deplore and abhor any violence involving knives. The figures show that there has been a significant reduction in such violence so far this year. There was a spike in knife crime last year by comparison with previous years. The Garda Commissioner decided to instigate a public awareness campaign as part of the Garda plan for 2008. It is his initiative and his initiative alone. I welcome it. The Garda is trying to make the public aware of how lethal knives can be. As I said in my reply, most knife crime is committed in domestic situations. In such circumstances, knives tend to be used because they can be easily accessed in the vicinity of where the row is taking place. The action being taken under the Garda plan is a clear indication of the priority the force is attaching to this problem. The Garda Commissioner has indicated to his officers that it is a priority.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Apart from the hiring of a public relations company, what other action does the Minister intend to pursue? I suggest that a comprehensive review of the availability of knives and offensive weapons is needed. A series of educational seminars should be organised to ensure that young people understand not only the dangers inherent in the use of knives, but also the fact that carrying knives can be unlawful. We need to implement a targeted six-month operation with the aim of decreasing the number of knives in the community. In light of the grave public concern that exists in this respect, it is not enough to engage in stand-alone exercises such as the hiring of a public relations company to put up posters.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is answering his own question. The Garda is pursuing an initiative that involves prioritising its efforts to tackle knife crime. Figures published by the Central Statistics Office indicate that the initiative is succeeding. The number of knife-related crimes has decreased significantly, from 1,223 in 2004 to 1,032 in 2007.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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There has been no such reduction in the figures for murder and manslaughter.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda's efforts are having an effect. By criticising the public relations campaign, the Deputy is, in effect, criticising a valid effort by the Garda Commissioner, and the force as a whole, to do the very thing he is demanding, which is to increase public awareness of the danger of knives.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I am saying that the campaign is insufficient.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should not use the term "public relations exercise" as a political smear.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I am not doing that.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Síochána is trying to deal with this issue properly.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I am saying it is insufficient.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It is a serious issue.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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There is no attempt on my part to try to smear anybody.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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That is what the Deputy did in his press release.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Minister has failed.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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You said I was engaging in a public relations exercise. You know it was nothing to do with me.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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You are failing.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Síochána is responsible for the campaign.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I ask the Minister and the Deputy to make their remarks through the Chair.