Written answers

Tuesday, 11 November 2008

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Deployment

10:00 pm

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 388: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to use the additional capacity of An Garda Síochána to target communities experiencing significant anti-social behaviour and crime; if he will provide a practical example of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40045/08]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 30 September 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 14,284.

Strong provisions are in place to combat anti-social behaviour and 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 Act 2008 gives further powers to the Gardaí to tackle misuse of alcohol which is often at the root of crime and anti-social behaviour and regulations are in place enabling further public order provisions in this Act to come into operation. The Act places restrictions on the availability and visibility of alcohol and provides for more effective enforcement to deal with the consequences of alcohol abuse. These provisions also allow for the issue of fixed charge notices for the offences of intoxication in a public place and disorderly conduct in a public place.

Operation Encounter was commenced by the Commissioner in February 2002. The operation specifically targets offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, which include the sale and consumption of alcohol by underage persons.

All members of An Garda Síochána proactively target public disorder and anti-social behaviour. Areas subject to such behaviour have been identified as hot-spots by local Garda management and additional foot and mobile patrols are directed at these areas during times when these offences are more likely to occur. All such incidents detected by members on patrol or reported to An Garda Síochána are dealt with immediately and the suspected offenders are dealt with in accordance with the law. Over 510,000 offences have been detected since the commencement of Operation Encounter.

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