Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the serious disruption to public order in Leixlip village, County Kildare on weekend nights into the early hours of the morning which is exacerbated by the late opening of take aways and restaurants on the Main Street, which keeps youngsters hanging around the village after night clubs have closed; if the Garda Síochána locally intends to take action with a view to limiting such opening hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7550/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Strong provisions are in place to combat anti-social and unlawful behaviour. The primary basis for the law regarding public order offences is the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, which modernised the law in this regard. Furthermore, because of my concerns about the abuse of alcohol and its contribution to public order offending and broader social problems, I brought forward tough new provisions to deal with alcohol abuse and its effect on public order in the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003. One of the provisions of the Act is to broaden the application of the temporary closure order penalty, which was originally introduced to combat underage drinking, to cover also convictions for a series of offences, such as a licensee supplying intoxicating liquor to drunken persons and permitting disorderly conduct on the licensed premises.

The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003 has also been enacted, the main purpose of which is to provide the Garda Síochána with additional powers to deal with late night street violence and anti-social conduct attributable to excessive drinking. It does this by providing for the closure of premises such as pubs, off-licences, late night clubs and food premises where there is disorder or noise on or close to the premises, as well as the making of exclusion orders on individuals convicted of a range of public order offences, in addition to any penalty they might receive under the 1994 Public Order Act. Operation Encounter, an ongoing operation introduced by the Garda Commissioner in 2002, addresses public disorder and anti-social behaviour by targeting offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts 1988 and 2003.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of the ongoing anti-social behaviour problems in Leixlip village at weekends. The Garda authorities have recently served notices under section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003 on the owners of two fast food outlets in the area. The local authority also has the power to introduce by-laws restricting the consumption of alcohol on the street.

In addition to regular patrols, a Garda van is deployed every Saturday night specifically tasked with tackling the problems outlined by the Deputy. This enforcement activity by local Garda personnel is supplemented by the divisional task force and traffic corps personnel as well as the district patrol car and detective unit.

I am also informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength, all ranks, of Leixlip Garda station at 31 December 1997 and 31 December 2005 was 11 and 25, respectively. This represents an increase of 14, or 127%, in the number of gardaí allocated to Leixlip Garda station during this period. Levels are constantly monitored and reviewed to meet the policing needs of the area. Local Garda management is satisfied with the current personnel levels in Leixlip.