Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 546: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he will take regarding a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25938/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Following the submission of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Crime statistics are provided by the CSO for the period beginning 2003.

I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him. The figures for public order offences recorded for each Garda Division in the years 2000 to 2002 are available in the relevant Garda Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library.

One of the priorities set for the Garda authorities for 2008, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, is to combat, in cooperation with other agencies and the community generally, the problems of public disorder with particular emphasis on alcohol related behaviour (including under age drinking) and socially disadvantaged communities especially through utilisation of the legal mechanisms being made available, including behaviour warnings and closure orders.

Strong provisions are already in place to combat anti-social behaviour. The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 modernised the law in this regard. Furthermore, the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 contains provisions to deal with alcohol abuse and its effect on public order. In addition, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003 provides the Garda with powers to deal with late night street violence and anti-social conduct attributable to excessive drinking.

The Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008 is currently before the House. The Bill contains a number of important reforms of the licensing laws and public order legislation, with the aim of addressing the adverse consequences of alcohol abuse in our society. The measures being proposed are a balanced response to problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption and binge drinking.

Current policing policy in the area concerned is predicated on the prevention of crime, including crimes of violence against persons and property and drug-related crime, the prevention of public order offences and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of the quality of life of the residents. Specific initiatives and special operations are put in place when analysis of criminal behaviour and crime trends indicate that such measures are necessary.