Written answers

Thursday, 13 May 2010

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Crime Levels

5:00 pm

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the recent figures from the Central Statistics Office showing significant increases in 12 of the 16 main recorded offence groups between 2004 and 2008; the steps he is taking to counter this upward trend in crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19594/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The report referred to by the Deputy is the Central Statistics Office publication Garda Recorded Crime Statistics 2004 - 2008, which gives greater detail on previously published statistics. While the report indicates increases in a number of crime categories over the four year period, I am pleased to note that there were decreases of 20% in sexual offences, 15% in robbery, extortion and hijacking offences, 9% in homicide offences and 1% in burglary and related offences. Increases in a number of categories, such as public order and controlled drug offences, can be attributed predominantly to increased Garda enforcement activity.

The most recent recorded crime statistics published by the CSO, for the first quarter of 2010, show a decrease in 13 of the 14 crime groups for which statistics are given, compared with the same quarter in 2009. This shows that the Government's policies on tackling crime and the resources made available, along with the outstanding work of the dedicated members of An Garda Síochána, are having a positive effect. Significant decreases in the numbers of cases of manslaughter and dangerous driving leading to death contributed to a fall in homicide offences of 28% in the first quarter. There were also welcome decreases in sexual offences, which were down 5.8%, and controlled drug offences, which were down 17.2%. While there is no acceptable level of homicide, the number of cases of murder and manslaughter combined showed no increase either in the quarter or in the year to the end of the quarter. There was an increase of one in the number of murders in the quarter.

The Gardaí face severe challenges in dealing with gangland murders. It was partly against that background that last year I introduced two groundbreaking pieces of legislation: the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act. Since the legislation was enacted, the Gardaí have been utilising it fully to build up cases against those involved in gangland crime. Charges are being brought under the new legislation. In addition, there are files with the Director of Public Prosecutions, and more are being prepared for submission to him. The Criminal Procedure Bill 2009, currently before the House, gives effect to the measures contained in the Justice for Victims Initiative. The Bill proposes to end the ban on retrying persons who have been acquitted in specified circumstances and provides for reform of the law on victim impact statements.

I have introduced the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2010, which will see the establishment, for the first time, of a national DNA database in Ireland. This represents a major step forward in the fight against serious crime and will give An Garda Síochána access to intelligence on a scale and of a quality that has never before been available in this country.

Both the Commissioner and I have been concerned at the level of property theft and one of the policing priorities which I set for An Garda Síochána in 2010 is achieving maximum levels of safety for local communities. An Garda Síochána will continue to develop and implement strategies to target those committing such crimes, which are often carried out against vulnerable members of the community. In this regard, I have met the Attorney General about the issue of mandatory sentencing for such crimes, and he has requested the Law Reform Commission to examine the issue. I will consider whether any further measures are required in the context of the examination by the Law Reform Commission and advice from the Attorney General.

The budgetary allocation for An Garda Síochána in 2010, set against a difficult economic backdrop, amounts to €1.5 billion and gives me the scope to continue to prioritise resources in dealing with crime. Despite the increased Garda retirements in 2009, the force numbered just over 14,500 members at the end of 2009, compared with 14,412 at the end of 2008 and 13,755 at the end of 2007. I have received sanction for a significant number of promotions in An Garda Síochána, notwithstanding the current moratorium on promotions in the public service. I welcome the recent publication of a Garda Inspectorate report on resource allocation in An Garda Síochána and recommendations which aim to improve the service to the public and the working conditions of frontline Gardaí. The Commissioner is preparing to implement a range of improvements to resource allocation systems.

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