asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of a report in the media, he will make a statement on the steps being taken to tackle the organised crime problem currently facing Dublin and the country generally.

2.

asked the Minister for Justice the plans he has to deal with the crime wave now facing the community.

3.

asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the crime epidemic facing the country and the need for a more efficient use of resources and the harnessing of community good will, he will consider the creation of a Dáil committee on crime, its terms of reference to include an examination of the structure and efficiency of the Garda Síochána.

4.

asked the Minister for Justice the specific measures with which he plans to tackle the increasing problem of housebreaking in urban and suburban communities.

5.

asked the Minister for Justice the specific measures with which he plans to tackle the problem of the mugging and robbing of citizens in urban and suburban communities.

6.

asked the Minister for Justice if he will state in regard to the very serious crime situation in the north city centre area of Dublin, the plans or proposals he has to deal with the problem.

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together.

I need hardly stress that the crime situation is a matter of the greatest concern to me and to the Government and that the tackling of the problem is one of my priorities. Unfortunately, we are living in an era when, in common with countries the world over, the incidence of crime has greatly increased. It is clear that there are very many factors involved in the growth of crime and that there is no easy or complete answer to the problem.

It would not be possible in the course of a reply to parliamentary questions to set out in any detail the various measures to tackle the crime problem which are being taken or which are proposed or are under consideration. I would refer the Deputy to my reply to the debate in the House on 4 May 1983 on the Second Stage of the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Bill. The recent debate on the Estimates for my Department provided an additional opportunity for a full exposition of these matters. In brief, specific measures being taken at present include increases in Garda manpower, improved deployment, improvement of Garda operating procedures and the provision of more modern equipment for the Garda, the further development of Garda community relations and the provision of additional prison accommodation. On the legislative front there is the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Bill to which I have referred and this is being followed by a further Criminal Justice Bill which I hope will be published at an early date and which will contain a number of measures that will strengthen the powers of the Garda in dealing with serious crime.

With regard to the questions in relation to housebreaking and the mugging of citizens, the various measures which I have mentioned are relevant. The Garda are fully conscious of the incidence of these particular offences and are constantly seeking ways and means of controlling the situation by altering manning levels and by changing patterns of patrolling. The general intention is to have an increased Garda presence in our cities and towns and already there has been a noticeable increase in the number of gardaí on the beat patrol duties. I might add that the public could make a considerable contribution to crime prevention by exercising more care in the protection of their property.

With regard to the setting up of a Dáil committee on crime, as proposed by Deputy Mitchell, the House agreed yesterday that such a committee be established with the terms of reference as set out on yesterday's Order Paper.

As regards the newspaper report referred to by Deputy Mitchell, I am informed that subsequent to the report a person was charged in connection with this matter and that the case is at present before the courts.

I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. In view of the fact that this is an important area and I have three questions down to the Minister, I wish to be allowed a supplementary question on each of them.

The Chair will hear the supplementary questions and decide when there have been enough.