Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 578: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to ensure that there is a multi agency approach to dealing with the increase in crime in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36231/12]

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 589: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans, if any to establish a Dublin crime task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36410/12]

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 590: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to combat the spate of urban crime for recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36411/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 578, 589 and 590 together.

While concerns about crime are fully understandable they should be seen in the context of a fall in most categories of recorded crime, including homicide, public order and assault over the past year. Robust policing measures are in place to respond to concerns about urban crime. These include the designation of certain areas as hotspots for criminality and additional high visibility patrols being directed by local Garda management.

Insofar as calls for a Dublin crime task force are concerned, the position is that a high visibility policing initiative has been introduced in the Dublin area by the Garda authorities. Special operations are also in place, such as Operation Stilts, which deals with anti-social behaviour and drug dealing on the boardwalk, the north quays and adjacent areas, and Operation Pier which focuses on reducing incidents of public disorder in the Temple Bar area.

Calls for a special task force also overlook the work of the Joint Policing Committees, which include the Gardaí and local authorities, and which are designed to bring about a coordinated approach between the various agencies to the problem of crime. As the Deputy may be aware, I have initiated a review of the operation of the JPCs and all interested parties will have an opportunity to contribute to that process.

I also am in regular engagement with all relevant stakeholders in addressing crime issues, for example, in my work with the outgoing Lord Mayor of Dublin's commission on anti-social behaviour and in the development with Government colleagues of effective responses to the problems of alcohol and drug abuse at the root of much violent street crime. I have also met recently with members of the Dublin City Business Improvement District to discuss their concerns about anti-social behaviour in the city and have further discussed these concerns with the Commissioner. There are undoubtedly many challenges faced in addressing urban crime in Ireland, challenges faced in cities throughout the world, but I am not persuaded that the solutions lie in establishing new task forces or other bureaucratic structures.