Dáil debates

Thursday, 23 January 2014

Topical Issue Debate

Community Policing

5:20 pm

Photo of Eamonn MaloneyEamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this issue. Everyone will be familiar with the coverage in the national press today of the remarks of Judge Anthony Halpin in Tallaght District Court regarding a breakdown of social order. During the sitting, he suggested that there is a necessity for the Civil Defence to become involved in policing the area. I reject that entirely. I am one of the almost 100,000 citizens who live in Tallaght and I can confirm no such situation exists. His remarks have incensed the local population and residents are furious about them for good reason. By implication, if he suggests that social order has broken down and proposes something that bypasses the existing policing framework, he has strayed too far.

The relationship between An Garda Síochána and the community I represent has been built over many years in a progressive and solid way, especially the community policing element of it. Tallaght is a largely working class area and it has the youngest population of any urban area in the State. I am on record requesting the judge to withdraw his remarks due to their insensitivity. He framed his remarks in court because of tragedies that have taken place. However, unfortunately, there have been terrible tragedies throughout the country since 1 January resulting in loss of life. To select an area where one incident had taken place and say that all social order has broken down is grossly unfair to the local community. It is regrettable that these comments insensitively disregarded An Garda Síochána, which enjoys the support of virtually all the population in Tallaght.

We are constantly reminded as legislators about the separation of powers and not to stray into areas overseen by the Judiciary. I agree it is no place for us as parliamentarians but, likewise, judges have a responsibility. In this case, the remarks were grossly insensitive and the House should record that Judge Halpin should withdraw them.

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister regrets that he is unable to be present due to other business. He does not consider it appropriate to comment on remarks made by a member of the Judiciary, apparently during the course of court proceedings. Law enforcement policy is a matter for the Executive. Accordingly, I will curtail his comments to the general proposition that the assistance of the Civil Defence is required in respect of policing arrangements in Tallaght or any other part of the country. I appreciate the strength of the social order in Tallaght and in all parts of our country. The reason that has built up is the co-operation outlined by the Deputy between An Garda Síochána and local communities. I see this in my constituency through the operation of policing fora and the engagement between gardaí and residents associations and individual community members. This is the reason we are fortunate to have strong social order within local communities and the country as a whole during the difficult times we are enduring.

The underlying concern is the provision of effective policing, and the Minister for Justice and Equality shares the Deputy's desire that the most effective strategies to counter and prevent crime be pursued in Tallaght and elsewhere. In this regard, he is in ongoing contact with the Garda Commissioner, who assures him that the significant resources available to An Garda Síochána are effectively deployed to meet policing needs in the Tallaght area. I am sure the Deputy will be aware of these resources through his work but 174 members of the force are assigned to the Tallaght sub-district, supplemented by 14 members of the Garda Reserve and supported by 11 civilian staff.

Furthermore, the Garda national policing plan has a strong focus on active engagement with communities to support crime reduction and crime prevention. I experience this every day in my own constituency work and I am sure the Deputy has the same experience in his area. This strategic approach also guides local policing plans, which are tailored to the specific circumstances in each area. In this regard the Minister is advised that Garda figures for the year 2013 indicate a reduction of 11% in incidents of violent crime as well as a 22% reduction in public order offences in the Tallaght sub-district in comparison to the year 2012.

The Minister is, however, conscious of the serious concerns in the Tallaght area arising from two recent violent deaths. Both incidents are under active consideration, with all the necessary Garda resources devoted to these tasks and several charges have been brought in respect of one of the incidents. In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for the Minister to comment further on the particular cases other than to encourage anyone with information to come forward.

The Minister does not accept the proposition that the assistance of the Civil Defence is required in respect of the policing arrangements in Tallaght or any other area. The role of the Civil Defence, as a volunteer-based organisation, is to support emergency services in incidents such as dealing with severe weather, flooding, major accidents, fire fighting and searching for missing people. Civil Defence members are trained and equipped accordingly and their role does not extend to policing or crime prevention matters. In light of this, the Minister considers that it would not be appropriate or effective to engage the Civil Defence in support of general measures to combat crime. An Garda Síochána, as the national police force, is the body with the appropriate authority, expertise and resources to combat and prevent crime and rightly has the widespread support of the community in Tallaght and elsewhere throughout the country to achieve that aim.

5:30 pm

Photo of Eamonn MaloneyEamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I thank the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister of State, Deputy Donohoe, for giving one of the most unambiguous replies I have heard from any Minister. The information provided is very helpful and clear in regard to the respective roles of the Minister for Justice and Equality and local representatives. Tallaght is a new town that has evolved over the past 40 years from a country village into a population centre of almost 100,000 residents. Present day Tallaght is effectively a city and I hope we will be able to achieve city status over the lifetime of this Government given that it is the third largest population centre in the country. I reiterate that the remarks by Judge Halpin are regrettable and should be withdrawn.

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I will leave the Deputy's comments on the potential city status of Tallaght for another Minister to address. While my knowledge of the area is limited compared to the Deputy's I am aware of the considerable growth it has experienced and of the strength of its community. In respect to the substantive issue, the Minister is firmly of the view that policing is a matter for the appropriate organisation, namely, An Garda Síochána.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.35 p.m. until 10 a.m. on Friday, 24 January 2014.