Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 233: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are plans in place to tackle the growth in crime and murder in this country; and if there are plans to increase the sentences for those deemed to be a danger to society. [27357/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The provisional headline crime figures for the third quarter of 2007 released by the Central Statistics Office show that there was no increase in headline crime in the twelve-month period to 30 September. This outcome is against a continuing steady rise in the population over the twelve months. With regard to the third quarter itself, there was an increase of 2.8% in headline crime in the quarter, compared with the same quarter last year. This compares with an increase of 4% in the second quarter. While there have been successes in combating crime and this is reflected in the improving trend, there is still much work to be done. The biggest challenges to be faced are the level of gangland crime and the number of murders being committed. The detection rate achieved by An Garda Síochána for murders which are not committed by firearms is excellent. However, detections for murders related to organised crime, which account for most murders committed by firearms, are more difficult to achieve. This is a matter of concern, even though such murders make up a minority of all murders (17 out of the 57 recorded to date in 2007). I believe that the significant improvements in the way major crimes are investigated recently announced by the Garda Commissioner will help to improve all detection rates, including for murders connected with organised crime.

We recently learned of a number of successful operations by An Garda Síochána which resulted in the arrest and charging of a number of persons following the recovery of drugs and firearms and the foiled robbery of cash in transit. It is relentless activity of this type by An Garda Síochána, under Operation Anvil in particular, which has contributed to the statistics for the third quarter showing significant reductions in the number of robberies of cash and goods in transit (down 71% in the quarter) and of robberies of an establishment or institution (down 12%).

I welcome the increases in the number of detections for possession of drugs for sale or supply (up 26% in the year to date) and of cultivation, manufacture and importation of drugs (up 55%), which were also the result of such police work directed against those involved in organised and drug crime.

I am pleased to note that the third quarter figures also show a reduction in the overall figure for sexual crimes (down 5% in the quarter and 9% in the year to date). All five sexual crime categories showed a reduction or no change during the quarter. The figures for sexual crimes now no longer show the steep declines experienced in earlier quarters. I hope that any reluctance on the part of victims to report sexual crimes, as a result of publicity surrounding court cases last year, has now dissipated and the figures better reflect the underlying reality.

The Garda Síochána Act gives me as Minister the power to determine priorities for the Garda Síochána. I recently published the policing priorities for 2008. These priorities set clear objectives for An Garda Síochána which the Garda Commissioner must take into account in drawing up his Policing Plan for 2008. The priorities I have set show what I and the Government consider should be the focus of policing activity in crime prevention and detection.

Two substantial Criminal Justice Acts were enacted in 2006 and 2007. Both the 2006 and 2007 Acts contained a wide array of measures to tackle serious and organised crime. The 2006 Act criminalised participation and assisting with criminal gangs. It updated the offences and penalties relating to firearms and well as creating offences of importing drugs with a minimum value of €13,000 and supplying controlled drugs to prisons. A registration requirement was imposed on drug trafficking offenders and new guidance was introduced for the imposition of mandatory sentences for drug trafficking convictions. The 2007 Act introduced new provisions for mandatory sentences for repeat offenders convicted of a range of serious offences. New post release orders were introduced, to assist with Garda supervision of convicted persons and to protect witnesses and victims.

My Department keeps under constant review the penalties provided for by the criminal law and proposes amendments where that is considered necessary. The Garda authorities also keep the penalties under review and make recommendations to me on any changes they consider desirable.