Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 535 of 17 July 2012, if he will provide an update on the actions being taken to address the continuing problem of anti-social behaviour in the Temple Bar area, Dublin. [50690/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can inform the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to implement a wide range of strategies as outlined in my previous reply to the Deputy in order to tackle incidents of anti-social behaviour and public disorder in the Temple Bar area of Dublin.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the number of recorded instances of public order and drunkenness offences for the overall Pearse Street District, within which the Temple Bar area sits, has fallen between 2011 and 2012.

As I indicated in my previous reply, Garda responses include the designation of certain areas as hot spots for such criminality and the deployment of high visibility patrols to respond accordingly. Furthermore, a Garda unit has been specifically tasked with dealing with public order incidents, deploying a public order van on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The work of this unit is supplemented by other units working ordinarily in the Temple Bar area. I am also informed that the deployment of plain-clothes officers in Temple Bar has led to significant successes in tackling drug related issues.

The Garda authorities also continue to employ a collaborative approach in addressing anti-social behaviour issues in the area which includes important ongoing liaison with local business associations, such as the Temple Bar Traders Association and other stakeholders. This approach is designed to ensure that An Garda Síochána is kept fully informed of criminal matters of concern to the local business community, to ensure that appropriate crime prevention advice is provided and to facilitate a joint approach to policing the night-time economy in the area.

This situation is being kept under ongoing review and I can further assure the Deputy that I am in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner with a view to ensuring that our streets are safe for all.