Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

50. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the action being taken to address antisocial and public order offences in Dublin city centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35650/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and a number of priority actions are contained in the Programme for Government to reduce instances of such behaviour and help people to be safe and feel safe in their local communities. Justice Plan 2022, which I published earlier this year, will continue the Department’s focused commitment to working with An Garda Síochána, local communities and wider society to eliminate such behaviour and support community safety into the future.

In line with the Programme for Government, Minister Browne has established an Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour to examine a broad range of issues with a focus on developing measures which will counteract the negative impact of such incidents on community morale and quality of life. Two subgroups have been established under the forum 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.

I can inform the Deputy that there are a number of Garda operations in place in Dublin city centre and the wider DMR. In October 2021, Operation Citizen commenced in the city centre and was initiated to reassure the citizens, visitors and the business community in Dublin city centre that it is a safe place in which to visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy its amenities. The aim of this operation is to deliver an enhanced high visibility policing presence in the city centre on a daily basis. This operation places a particular focus on anti-social behaviour, public order and quality of life issues, assaults and high-volume crimes, and involves increased visible policing, particularly at key locations.

In January this year, the Garda authorities launched Operation Saul to further support, enhance and strengthen the strategic and operational objectives of Operation Citizen. The aim of Operation Saul is to provide a safe environment for commuters utilising public transport services in the DMR.

Operation Boardwalk is in place in the DMR North Central Division designed to specifically tackle anti-social behaviour in the environs of the Liffey Boardwalk, Bachelor's Walk and Eden Quay and consists of proactive engagement with groups of youths and people engaged in public consumption of alcohol.

Operation Pier and Operation Spire are also underway within Dublin City Centre, in the DMR South Central and North Central Divisions respectively. These form the basis of a regional response to city centre street-level drug dealing and possession of drugs, with members performing dedicated patrols in areas known to have a high concentration of such issues. Some key areas targeted are those that have a significant nighttime economy.

Both operations are undertaken by uniformed and plain-clothes members on a full-time basis, with the objective of investigating, detecting, preventing and prosecuting criminal offences committed under the Misuse of Drugs Act. A large proportion of these operations focus on high-visibility and proactive policing and engagement with the residential and business communities.

In addition, Operation Irene commenced in the DMR on 1 June, 2022 and continues until 31 August, 2022. Operation Irene aims to combat under-age alcohol consumption and the consumption of alcohol in public places in the DMR, in a targeted operation through the enforcement of legislation regulating the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol and other associated legislation.

The Deputy may also wish to be aware that Operation Limmat is the DMR’s assault in public and public order reduction strategy. Operation Limmat promotes a pro-arrest and early-investigation approach to incidents of assault, together with driving high-visibility policing in public places to act as a deterrent to prevent and reduce assaults and public order offences in the DMR.

I can inform the Deputy that a new property on O’Connell Street has been identified as a strategically important location to enhance An Garda Síochána’s high-visibility policing service in the DMR North Central Division. When opened, this facility will support and enhance the existing policing service in Dublin city centre and will provide a range of Garda services to the public. The premises will also act as a base for members on a number of key Garda Operations running in the city centre, notably Operation Citizen.