Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 419: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies reported in the Enniscorthy district, County Wexford; the number detected in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12142/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies reported in the Wexford district, County Wexford; the number detected in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12146/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 424: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies reported in the Gorey district, County Wexford; the number detected in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12147/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies reported in the New Ross district, County Wexford; the number detected in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12148/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 419 and 423 to 425, inclusive, together.

I have made inquiries with the Garda authorities and the following table gives the statistics for the number of robberies committed and detected in the Garda districts of Enniscorthy, Wexford, Gorey and New Ross for each of the years 2000-05.

The introduction of the PULSE computer system by the Garda Síochána in 1999 has led to more complete and comprehensive recording of crimes reported than was previously the case. It should be borne in mind that any interpretation of the crime figures should factor in the increase in our population in the past ten years. In 1995, with a population of almost 3.6 million people, there were 29 crimes per 1,000 of the population. In 2005, with a population of more than 4.1 million, there were 24.6 crimes per 1,000 of the population, a reduction of 4.4 crimes per 1,000 of the population. To put this in context, during the two full years of the rainbow coalition government, with a population of 600,000 less than at present, the headline crime figures were as follows: 1995 — 102,484; 1996 — 100,785.

The figures provided for 2000 and 2001 are incomplete due to the phased implementation of PULSE. The first full year captured is 2002 and is a more accurate base year to use. I am pleased to note a drop of 22.5% in the total number of robberies from 2004 to 2005 and a 17% drop in the total number of robberies from 2002 to 2005.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 420: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who were arrested and charged for the possession or use of drugs in the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 in the Wexford district, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12143/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who were arrested and charged for the possession or use of drugs in the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 in the Gorey district, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12144/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who were arrested and charged for the possession or use of drugs in the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 in the New Ross district, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12145/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 to 422, inclusive, together.

It has not been possible, within the timeframe available, to collate the information required by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies and aggravated burglaries where firearms were used which were reported; the number which were detected in the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 in the Gorey district, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12149/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies and aggravated burglaries where firearms were used which were reported; the number which were detected in the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 in the New Ross district, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12150/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies and aggravated burglaries where firearms were used which were reported; the number which were detected in the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 in the Wexford district, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12151/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies and aggravated burglaries where firearms were used which were reported; the number which were detected in the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 (details supplied) in County Wexford. [12165/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 426, 427, 428 and 442 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table provides the total number of robbery and aggravated burglary offences where a firearm was used, recorded and detected in the Garda districts of Wexford, New Ross, Gorey and Enniscorthy for the years 2002-05. I am pleased to note that the table shows a reduction of 37.5% in offences recorded, where a firearm was used in the districts concerned, from 2004-05.

The introduction of the PULSE computer system by the Garda Síochána in 1999 has led to more complete and comprehensive recording of crimes reported than was previously the case. The figures provided for 2000 and 2001 are incomplete due to the phased implementation of PULSE. The first full year captured is 2002 and is a more accurate base year to use.

It should be borne in mind that any interpretation of the crime figures should factor in the increase in our population in the past ten years. In 1995, with a population of almost 3.6 million people, there were 29 crimes per 1,000 of the population. In 2005, with a population of over 4.1 million, there were 24.6 crimes per 1,000 of the population, a reduction of 4.4 crimes per 1,000 of the population. To put this in context, during the two full years of the rainbow coalition government, with a population of 600,000 less than at present, the headline crime figures were as follows: 1995 — 102,484; 1996 — 100,785.

I propose bringing forward a range of measures to strengthen the law governing the control of firearms in the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is currently before the House. These new measures include increases in fines and penalties generally for offences under the Firearms Acts and the creation of mandatory minimum sentences, of between five and ten years, for certain firearms offences, including possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances, possession of firearm with criminal intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, possession of a firearm while hijacking a vehicle, and use or production of a firearm to resist arrest.

In this context I also propose to introduce a statutory basis for an amnesty during which firearms may be surrendered to the Garda Síochána before the proposed new penalties and minimum mandatory sentences are introduced. This will enable those in possession of firearms, who are not in compliance with the legal requirements, to regularise their position, and thus enable the Garda Síochána to concentrate on more serious offenders.

Figures provided for 2005 are provisional, operational and liable to change.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 429: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of rape and sexual assaults which were reported in the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; the number which were detected in the New Ross district, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12152/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of rape and sexual assaults which were reported in the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; the number which were detected in the Wexford district, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12153/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 431: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of rape and sexual assaults which were reported in the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; the number which were detected in the Gorey district, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12154/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of rapeand sexual assaults which were reported in the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; the number which were detected in County Wexford (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12161/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 429, 430, 431 and 438 together.

I have made inquiries with the Garda authorities and the following table gives statistics for the number of rapes and sexual assaults committed and detected in the Garda districts of Enniscorthy, Wexford, Gorey and New Ross for each of the years 2002-2005. The introduction of the PULSE computer system by the Garda Síochána in 1999 has led to more complete and comprehensive recording of crimes reported than was previously the case. The figures provided for 2000 and 2001 are incomplete due to the phased implementation of PULSE. The first full year captured is 2002 and is a more accurate base year to use.

It should be borne in mind that any interpretation of the crime figures should factor in the increase in our population in the past ten years. In 1995, with a population of almost 3.6 million people, there were 29 crimes per 1,000 of the population. In 2005, with a population of over 4.1 million, there were 24.6 crimes per 1,000 of the population, a reduction of 4.4 crimes per 1,000 of the population. To put this in context, during the two full years of the rainbow coalition government, with a population of 600,000 less than at present, the headline crime figures were 102,484 in 1995 and 100,785 in 1996.

I urge caution when comparing crime statistics for rape and sexual assault against previous years. The detection of one case in an area can lead to a number of cases being reported to the Garda authorities in respect of previous years. It is to be welcomed that victims are now more inclined to report matters to the Garda authorities than was previously the case. Nevertheless I am pleased to note a reduction of 13.5% in the total number of rapes and sexual assault offences in 2005 compared with 2002. In addition 57.5% of all rapes and sexual assault reported in the period 2002 to 2005 were detected.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 432: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of headline crimes which were reported; the number which were detected in the Wexford district, County Wexford in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12155/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of headline crimes which were reported; the number which were detected in New Ross, County Wexford in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12156/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 439: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of headline crime which were reported; the number which were detected in Enniscorthy district, County Wexford in each year from 2000 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12162/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of headline crimes which were reported; the number which were detected (details supplied) in County Wexford in each year from 2000 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12163/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 432, 433, 439 and 440 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following tables provide the total number of headline offences, by group, recorded and detected in the Garda districts of Wexford, New Ross, Gorey and Enniscorthy for the years 2000 to 2005.

The introduction of the PULSE computer system by the Garda Síochána in 1999 has led to more complete and comprehensive recording of crimes reported than was previously the case. The figures provided for 2000 and 2001 are incomplete due to the phased implementation of PULSE. The first full year captured is 2002 and is a more accurate base year to use.

It should be borne in mind that any interpretation of the crime figures should factor in the increase in our population in the past ten years. In 1995, with a population of almost 3.6 million people, there were 29 crimes per 1,000 of the population. In 2005, with a population of more than 4.1 million, there were 24.6 crimes per 1,000 of the population, a reduction of 4.4 crimes per 1,000 of the population. To put this in context, during the two full years of the rainbow coalition Government, with a population of 600,000 less than at present, the headline crime figures were 102,484 in 1995 and 100,785 in 1996.

It should also be noted that the headline offence of homicide includes not only murder and manslaughter but the other homicide offences of infanticide, abortion, attempted murder and threat to murder. Over the five year period shown in the table there were five murders recorded with four detected, and two manslaughters recorded with two detected in the Garda districts concerned.

Figures provided for 2005 are provisional, operational and liable to change.