Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of arrests which took place arising from public order offences during the October bank holiday weekend in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35408/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action, he proposes to take to reduce the prevalence of public order offences during the Halloween 2008 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35409/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Tombola is in place for the Hallowe'en period. Operational orders have been put in place in every Garda Region, in particular in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and border Divisions, to prevent and detect the organised importation for sale of fireworks in the lead up to Halloween and to police the Halloween period.

Persons suspected of engaging in the importation, supply or sale of fireworks will be identified and targeted. Intelligence-led operations and searches will be conducted by the Garda authorities.

Proactive policing arrangements are in place which will cover the period up to, and the night of, 31 October. Additional patrols will be carried out by uniform personnel as part of high-visibility policing initiatives, supported by plain-clothes personnel, including District Detective and Drug Units, Divisional Crime Task Forces, Traffic Corps personnel and Community Policing and Mountain Bike Units. The provisions of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 will be strictly enforced.

An Garda Síochána is also engaging with local communities, local authorities and other stakeholders, such as Dublin Bus, in putting plans in place to address the issues that arise around the Hallowe'en period. An Garda Síochána have put liaison arrangements in place for the removal of identified stockpiles of combustible materials. Through the Schools Programme and other local programmes, members of An Garda Síochána publicise the message that fireworks are illegal and highlight the dangers associated with illegally imported fireworks. Gardaí have also advised managers of off-licences to ensure that staff are made aware of their obligations under licensing legislation relating to the sale of alcohol, in particular to underage persons.

Members of An Garda Síochána from local Community Policing Units have been instructed to liaise with local authorities and local residents to ensure that any information received regarding bonfires and other anti-social behaviour is acted upon in advance of Hallowe'en. During this period additional public order patrols will also be directed to pay particular attention to areas where anti-social behaviour and drinking in public may occur. Offences reported to An Garda Síochána will be dealt with appropriately.