Address by Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the 2010 Annual AGSI Conference Galway

Check Against Delivery 

Mr President, Distinguished Guests, Delegates,

Thank you very much for your kind invitation to address your annual conference.  

We have come through a difficult year, and there are tough challenges ahead. Some of the measures the Government has had to take are unprecedented. I know in particular that the reductions in public service pay are resented. But it was and remains essential that the Government, and all of us, face up to economic reality. The fact is that, even leaving aside the huge challenge of dealing with our banking crisis, national income has fallen far behind national expenditure. That gap simply must be bridged, and the pay reductions are an unavoidable part of that. Despite what some critics say, the reductions are graduated and proportionate, with higher public service earners paying significantly more than lower earners, which is only right. Not to have taken action would have been a dereliction of duty, but also in the end self-defeating, as we would all have suffered far more if our national finances were not stabilised.

I am confident that these measures will work. There is still some way to go, and further difficulties ahead, but we will pull through and build a better future.

You will of course be aware that members of your executive committee have been engaged, with the other representative  associations, in talks with the government. These talks have resumed this afternoon and I am sure that, like me, you are looking forward to a successful conclusion. This is necessary not just protect your pay and conditions but also to ensure that together we can rebuild our economy, and ensure a prosperous future for all in our country.

Even though times are so difficult, I am committed to secure the maximum possible level of resources for the Garda Síochána. This year the Commissioner will oversee a budget of approximately €1.5bn which includes over €1bn for pay and allowances. The strength of the force has grown steadily over the last number of years. Yes, retirements combined with the moratorium on recruitment has affected Garda numbers, but the strength of the Force did grow from under 12,000 at the end of 2002 to just over 14,500 at the end of 2009. That is not some academic statistic to be dismissed.  It is a real and substantial increase. Also, as your President has pointed out, I have recently obtained a derogation from the public service moratorium for approximately 170 promotions, including 28 to the rank of Inspector and 120 to the rank of Sergeant, and there will also be consequential opportunities.

There has also been a lot of progress made on enhancing civilian support within the Garda Síochána. Civilian staff are now involved in the provision of vital support services in a wide range of administrative, professional, technical and industrial areas. The increased number of civilian support staff has released sworn members who were performing clerical, administrative or technical duties for operational front-line duties, and enhanced the capacity of the Garda Síochána.

There has been a major investment in the facilities and equipment for the Force. Yes, it is always possible to point to the need for more, but in fairness it should be recognised that a great deal has been done. New batons, protective vests and pepper spray have been provided. The rollout of the new digital radio is far advanced. There are now 10,800 handheld radios distributed, and the nationwide rollout is on schedule for completion during 2011. I know that your President would like to see more investment in vehicles, and so would I, but even here the reality is that the average age of the fleet is less than three years.

There have also been positive and significant developments in the organisation of the Garda Síochána. Garda training, already of a high quality, will be enhanced following a comprehensive review of training by a group appointed by the Commissioner. There will be a radical restructuring of recruit training, and better opportunities for in-service training too. Community Policing, so important in maintaining the Force's strong links with local communities, is being reinvigorated under the new Garda Síochána National Model of Community Policing. The National Community Policing Office has been established within Garda Community Relations Section to develop and oversee the implementation programme. Training is ongoing and it is intended that every District Officer throughout the country will take ownership of community policing within his or her area of responsibility.

Of course, the resources you need to combat crime and maintain public order extend beyond the strength of the Force and its capabilities, vital though they are. You also need sufficient legislative powers to deal with the many challenges you face, and I am determined to see that you get them.

Last year I introduced two groundbreaking pieces of legislation: the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act, legislation which has greatly assisted the Gardaí in building the prosecutions against those involved in gangland crime.

I have also published the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill which will see the establishment, for the first time, of a national DNA database in Ireland. When the Bill becomes law, anyone, apart from certain groups mentioned in the Bill, who is arrested for a serious offence  can be required to give a DNA sample, and a profile from that sample will be entered on the database. It will also be the case that everyone who at that time is still subject to a sentence for a serious offence or who is on the sex offenders register will be required to give a sample for DNA analysis and for entry on to the database. The material provided by these sources, along with the stains recovered from crime scenes, will be the major source of material for the database. Analysis of the material can be expected to produce 'hits' that will indicate links between previously unsuspected persons and offences and between multiple crime scenes. This will provide a major support in the fight against crime

And I am continuing to put forward significant proposals for legislation.  The Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 gives effect to the measures contained in the Justice for Victims Initiative. The Bill provides for reform of the law on victim impact statements and will open up the possibility of retrials in certain cases where the defendant has been acquitted but where the acquittal can be shown to have been undeserved due to the emergence of new and compelling evidence, or because there was interference with the trial process that affected the verdict or where the judge erred in law by, for example, excluding certain evidence.

Taken together, these measures will help you in your fight against crime. And there are  some positive CSO statistics on crime for 2009. There were decreases in homicide offences by over 10% last year. The numbers of cases of manslaughter and dangerous driving causing death were down also. This is not to be in any way complacent. One death is one too many, and the relentless fight against crime must continue.

Of course many murders are gang related. The Government will continue to fully support the efforts of the Gardaí - and other agencies of the criminal justice system - in their fight against gangland crime. Dealing with gangland murders is very challenging for the Gardaí. In some cases persons who have been identified by the Gardaí as being at risk not only do not cooperate with Gardaí. When persons are murdered, their associates often offer no assistance to the Gardaí. Witnesses may also be subject to high levels of intimidation not to come forward, and it is to assist such witnesses that the Witness Security Programme is in place.

The Government remains resolutely committed to targeting criminality which is a matter of great concern to the public. We attach the highest priority in tackling organised crime and illegal drugs in our communities, and the Commissioner has prioritised this work in the current policing plan. Communities are ripped apart by the scourge of drug abuse. The vulnerable are targeted by the drug lords and lives are destroyed. I know that you are doing your utmost to end this scourge and bring those responsible before the courts, and I commend you for your work. The Gardaí are  tackling organised crime on a number of fronts including the use of intelligence led operations by specialist units and by undertaking multi-agency activities. The work of the Criminal Assets Bureau in targeting the proceeds of criminal activity has and will continue to yield success. Indeed, the recently published CAB Annual Report for 2008 once again demonstrates how effective the multi-agency approach is in targeting the proceeds of criminal activity.

The Interim National Drugs Strategy for 2009-2016 was launched in September 2009 and the Government has decided that an overall National Misuse Strategy should include alcohol in addition to illegal drugs. The Government's view is that a combined Substance Misuse Strategy will facilitate a more coherent approach to the issues and consequences of alcohol and illicit drug, including addictive behaviour.  

Your President is correct in expressing concern over the danger of head shops and, as he rightly acknowledged, action is being taken to deal with particular products currently on sale. The National Drugs Strategy also provides for monitoring the activities of head shops. Indeed, all businesses involved in the sale of psychoactive substances are being monitored with the objective of ensuring that no illegal or harmful activity is undertaken through these outlets.

Another aspect of crime which is now being given the priority it deserves is Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence.  Earlier in the year Cosc - the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence - completed its priority work on the development of a National Strategy on for the five-year period from 2010 to 2014.  As I said at the launch of the strategy "this Government  is tackling the violence and abuse suffered by women and men of a sexual and non sexual nature both within and outside the domestic scene. These types of crimes often happen behind closed doors where there are no witnesses or, worst still, where the only witness is a child. As a Government, we are saying No to Domestic Violence, No to Sexual Violence and No to all types of gender-based violence".  Your work as members of the Garda Síochána will be central to this new focus on preventing the misery caused by this type of crime.

Delegates, whether it is in relation to dealing with domestic or sexual violence, combating drugs, confronting gangland criminals, or the many other vital activities in which you engage, you have the full support of the Government and of the public you serve. Your work continues against the difficult backdrop of the budgetary constraints facing the public service, and I gratefully acknowledge that. I want in particular to acknowledge your crucial supervisory and management roles as sergeants and inspectors. I hope for my part to have shown my appreciation of the requirements of the Garda Síochána in the difficult and vital work you do. There will be better days ahead, and as we get there I want to assure you that I will continue to stand up for the Force.  

Mr President, Delegates, I wish you a very successful and productive conference and, on return to your Districts, I wish you a safe return to your duties.

Thank you