Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, who is a regular visitor to the House at this stage. I thank Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú for his support for the Bill which is long overdue. We have all heard about the beatings that have taken place around the country, particularly in County Tipperary where the Senator is based and where there has been a spate of crime. Criminal gangs are operating and take full advantage of the motorway network to target certain areas. I commend An Garda Síochána for its recent successes in investigating these crimes.

The Bill is necessary. Members of the public cannot understand the notion of sentences running concurrently. If somebody commits a burglary in County Tipperary which is successfully investigated by the Garda, the person concerned will be brought to court and a sentence imposed. If they have committed another burglary in Ennis, they will receive a sentence for that crime, too, and all of the sentences will run at the same time. For the ordinary person, this does not appear to be just. Consecutive sentencing for repeat offenders is important because it is important not only that justice be done but also be seen to be done.

I wish to speak briefly about restorative justice, community courts and the prevention of crime. The Government has demonstrated its commitment to try to deal with the causes of crime and what makes young people engage in crime in the first instance and, when somebody is found to have engaged in crime, what can be done to ensure he or she will not repeat it. Everybody in society deserves a second chance. There was all-party agreement in the House on a motion I had tabled on the issue of restorative justice. There is a very successful restorative justice programme which is being operated on a pilot basis in south Dublin and north Tipperary, of which Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú will be aware. The figures for the programme are incredible. There has been a 66% reduction in the number of repeat offenders where offenders engage in a restorative justice programme. I call on the Minister to enter into discussions on extending the pilot programme and running a restorative justice programme on a national basis. This proposal is worthy of consideration and is supported by this House.

There is also the issue of community courts. The Minister is engaged in developing a pilot project in inner city Dublin, similar to the one operating in New York but obviously in an Irish context. Community courts have been very successful. A community court is, effectively, a one-stop-shop. Usually I do not like that term, but it is a one-stop-shop in providing for addiction counselling and all the other supports needed to ensure offenders will not become repeat offenders. However, where there is repeat offending, it is important that the law take its course. The Bill is extremely welcome in that regard.

The Government has been very successful in re-equipping An Garda Síochána which, like all elements of society, has experienced a difficult period. A behavioural analysis study of An Garda Síochána was carried out in 2013, which I mentioned previously in the House. It found that only 63% or 64% of the population had confidence in it. The same exercise was carried out three or four months ago and the figures had improved dramatically, with 87% of the public surveyed expressing confidence in An Garda Síochána. That is due to the diligent work done by the new Garda Commissioner and her senior management team. Nóirín O'Sullivan is the first female Garda Commissioner and has set the bar very high. She has appeared before the justice committee on a couple of occasions and delivered a flawless performance, as has done since her appointment as Commissioner. This, coupled with the dedication of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and her two able Ministers of State, Deputies Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Kathleen Lynch, have transformed the Department of Justice and Equality and we are now in a position where both we and An Garda Síochána can move forward with confidence. An extra 600 gardaí will be recruited in the coming months and the recruitment programme will continue.

I welcome the Bill which I hope will receive all-party support. The message must be conveyed from this House that if one continues to offend repeatedly, one will be punished and justice will prevail. I hope the Bill will be passed speedily by the House.