Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on Central Statistics Office crime statistics for the second quarter of 2007 published on 20 July 2007; his further views on the continuing high level of crime and anti-social behaviour; the steps he will take to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22478/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The latest figures available from the Central Statistics Office, which now has responsibility for compiling crime statistics, cover the 12 month period ending 30 June 2007. They show a drop in headline crime of just over 1% on the previous 12 months. The number of murders and cases of manslaughter have remained stable, with an increase of two in the number of murders and an increase of one in the number of manslaughter cases.

I was pleased to note that the detections of persons in possession of drugs for sale or supply increased by 29% in the year and 25% in the quarter. While these detections add to the crime figures, they reflect vigorous enforcement by An Garda Síochána, including through Operation Anvil. I was also pleased to note the decrease in the high volume crimes of theft by 1.2%, burglary by 12.5 % and robbery by 7.3%.

The 12.5% decrease in traffic fatalities can be attributed to the continuing high levels of road traffic law enforcement by the Garda Síochána, particularly the use of mandatory alcohol testing, which commenced in July of last year and has made a significant contribution to this decrease.

Garda figures show a detection rate of 40% for 2006 which compares favourably with rates internationally and with rates here of 36% in 2003 and 35% in 2004 and 2005. The crime rates must, of course, be seen against the background of the rises taking place in population. The crime rate per 1,000 of population dropped from 26 in 2003 to 24.5 in 2006.

While the figures are encouraging, I am not suggesting that these crime rates are acceptable. It is right that we acknowledge the achievements of the Garda Síochána and the other criminal justice agencies, which week in, week out bring individuals to justice for their crimes.

I have discussed these figures with the Garda Commissioner, particularly the increase of 3.2% in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the second quarter last year. He has advised me that the Garda authorities are undertaking a number of specific targeted operations directed against particular types of crime in areas where increases have taken place.

In relation to anti-social behaviour, I have the power under the Garda Síochána Act to set policing priorities for the Garda Síochána. I am in the course of determining these priorities for 2008. One of the areas I intend to prioritise is the combating, particularly in cooperation with other agencies and the community generally, of the problems of public disorder with particular emphasis on alcohol related behaviour (including under age drinking) and socially disadvantaged communities especially through utilization of the legal mechanisms being made available viz. ASBOs and behaviour warnings and closure orders.