Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The purpose of this amendment is to provide that the Garda Commissioner shall ensure that the statistical information is made available not only to the Minister but also to the Central Statistics Office. This follows on from my acceptance of a recommendation from the expert group on crime statistics that a central crime statistics unit should be established, and I decided it should be established within the Central Statistics Office. Generously, the Central Statistics Office agreed immediately, even without a statutory nudge in that direction, to carry out this function.

My aim is that the old canard that this is gardaí devising figures about themselves which we should take with a pinch of salt will be laid to rest. The Central Statistics Office, which has the function of carrying out crime victimisation surveys and the like and has an expertise in the area, should carry out this function. That will free up resources within the administration of the Garda Síochána because what I requested, which was quarterly figures and annual reports on time and so on, takes up a good deal of resources in terms of meeting deadlines, checking everything and ensuring that all crimes are being adequately reported. I do not intend to accept amendments Nos. 60 and 61 for the same reason. They are unduly prescriptive.