Seanad debates

Wednesday, 2 October 2019

10:30 am

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ned O'Sullivan was correct when he referred to the importance of the integrity of Good Friday Agreement in all its parts. I welcome the support of Senators on a cross-party basis in that regard, as we must ensure we continue to amplify our twin objectives in the context of Brexit, irrespective of what happens. We need to acknowledge and maintain the integrity of the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and protect our Single Market as members of the European Union.

Last week, I attended the cross-Border conference on organised crime, held this year in County Cavan. This annual event is aimed at enhancing co-operation between law enforcement agencies on both sides of the Border, particularly in with respect to cross-Border organised criminality and related issues. This conference gave members of the task force the opportunity to consider in detail the necessary improvements and innovations, including international co-operation, which can be taken to strengthen the effectiveness of the task force. I am not opposed in principle to the establishment of a CAB-style cross-Border agency but I am satisfied that the existing co-operative arrangements are effective in the main. Advancing any new proposal would require detailed negotiation and engagement with the British Government, which has responsibility for some of the key agencies involved. It would be party to any new international agreement that is concluded. It is something we cannot do of our own volition because it will involve the signing of an international treaty and the active engagement of the British Government on the one hand and the Northern Ireland Executive as well. We sadly know it currently is not functioning.

The creation of a new multi-agency body must require the support of the political institutions in the North to succeed. We know this from the Good Friday Agreement and all subsequent agreements, be it Weston Park, St. Andrew's, Stormont or Fresh Start. These agreements will only proceed to be implemented if they have the full support of everybody involved, particularly the parties in Northern Ireland. The absence of political institutions in Northern Ireland de facto renders the new proposal practically impossible to advance. I urge Fianna Fáil Senators to acknowledge this fact. The proposal would need to be discussed in detail with the Garda Commissioner and his counterparts in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. It would need careful consideration also in the context of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

The Garda Commissioner made a decision to establish an additional armed support unit in Cavan that became operational on Monday. I acknowledge the support of Senators, and Senator Gallagher in particular, in this regard. That work will complement the work of those based in Ballyshannon and Dundalk in the northern region. The decision is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner but it is one we can all welcome. Senators will be aware there are a number of successful Garda operations in place to disrupt the activities of criminal gangs throughout the State. It should be noted that the most recent crime statistics released by the CSO indicate a decrease of more than 40% in the number of recorded homicide incidents in the second quarter of 2019 when compared with the same period in 2018. The CSO figures also identify a decrease of almost 10% in burglary and related offences nationally at the end of the second quarter of 2019 when compared with the same period last year. It is only right that we continue to acknowledge the fine work of An Garda Síochána in helping to achieve these reductions.

Since November 2015, there has been a targeted response by An Garda Síochána to burglary and burglary-related crime. The scale of Garda activity as of 23 May has produced in the region of 1,879 arrests and 2,188 charges, covering a range of offences which, in addition to burglary, have included the handling of stolen property, possession of firearms and drug offences. Recent crime statistics also identified a decrease of 9.8% in burglary and related offences nationally at the end of the second quarter of 2019 when compared with last year. These statistics also indicate that incidence of theft from person has decreased by in excess of 10% and I welcome this positive news. However, there is no question of anybody sitting on any laurels.

Senators will also be familiar with the Garda operations Hybrid and Stratus, which have been deployed by the Garda Commissioner in response to organised crime and feud-related violence in Dublin and Drogheda, respectively. These operations have resulted in a significant number of arrests and individuals being brought before the courts. With respect to the new operating model announced by the Commissioner recently, management and co-ordination of services in this new model will be transferred from the current district superintendent level to a divisional model. This will assist in freeing Garda resources nationwide. In practical terms, it will mean less duplication and bureaucracy at senior levels while chief superintendents will be given greater decision-making power. The new model will streamline administrative services and reduce bureaucracy; provide more sergeants and inspectors on the ground, protecting and supporting our communities; shift more power and decision making from Garda headquarters to chief superintendents closer to the communities they serve; and thereby ensure we have a more localised and responsive police service reflecting local needs.

I reject what Senator Gallagher said about downgrades and a lack of consultation. I take his comments as being a direct and express criticism of the Garda Commissioner, although it was not his intention. I am concerned about suggestions that the merging of divisions will result in diminished policing services on the ground. The Senator said he is hearing of this from communities. I suggest to him and his colleagues that they might deploy a bit of leadership in communities by explaining the new divisional model to their constituents rather than immediately adopting words like "downgrade" or "retrograde", leading to further speculation.

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