Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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129. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures being taken to address the increase in knife crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8391/22]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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141. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps that are being taken to combat knife crime. [8604/22]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 141 together.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government is very conscious of the dangers presented by knife crime and is determined to ensure that similar problems to those which have developed in neighbouring jurisdictions do not develop here in Ireland.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing decisions and direction of priorities for An Garda Síochána. Neither Minister McEntee nor I have a role in these independent functions. 

As the Deputy will be aware, in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, I have established an Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour. This forum is considering the effectiveness of existing legislation and looking at proposals for new ways forward, including whether new powers for Gardaí and additional interventions to support parenting of offenders are needed. Members of the Forum, which I chair, include An Garda Síochána, government departments, community groups, business community members and NGOs.

The Forum is examining a broad range of issues with a focus on developing measures which will counteract the negative impact of antisocial behaviour on community morale and quality of life. This has included two subgroups established to consider the specific issues of knife crime and the misuse of scramblers and quadbikes. Other subgroups may be established to tackle additional specific issues as required.

The knife crime subgroup is assessing available evidence to inform both legislation and community safety policies, programmes and practices with regard to knife crime. The work of this subgroup is ongoing and is expected to conclude in Q1 2022.

As the Deputy will be aware, there is a comprehensive and robust legal framework in place in Ireland with respect to knife crime, including heavy penalties for breaches of the laws concerned. Indeed, the maximum penalty in the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 for a conviction for possessing a knife in a public place without good reason or lawful authority was increased from one to five years in an amendment introduced via the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

Legislative responses alone will not provide a ready solution and evidence from other jurisdictions indicate that simply adopting harsher penalties will not lead to a reduction in the incidence of these crimes. Our existing five-year sentence for knife possession is longer than in the UK, for example, where a four-year penalty applies. It is important to note that there are no quick-fix solutions, based on international experience, and longer term, evidence-based strategies are needed.

We will continue to examine all possible options as part of the work of the sub-group, including those undertaken in other jurisdictions, and do our utmost to ensure that our communities are, and feel, safe.

An Garda Síochána run a number of proactive policing initiatives aimed at reducing assaults and improving feelings of community safety, including Operation Soteria (the national assault reduction strategy) and Operation Citizen in Dublin City Centre, which sees increased Garda visibility at peak times and focus on areas where antisocial behaviour and violent crime incidents have arisen recently in the capital. An Garda Síochána's 'Use Your Brain, Not Your Fists' campaign also highlights the impacts on both victim and perpetrator of an assault.

I would therefore appeal to anyone who believes that carrying or using any form of weapon, be it a knife, or even a fist, to stop and think of the lasting damage and consequences of those decisions. Even if you believe that you are protecting yourself, the lasting impact of an assault is felt long after the blow is struck.