Minister Dermot Ahern Begins Development of State’s First White Paper On Crime
The Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D., today announced the development of the State’s first White Paper on Crime.
The move is part of the Government’s plan to provide tough and effective anti-crime policies, not just to deal with the immediate problems facing the country today but also far into the future.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Ahern said: "I believe the time has come for a new long-term strategy to fight crime - the White Paper will provide that strategy. It will be the blueprint to serve successive Governments for decades ahead. To that end, it will be the most wide-ranging and comprehensive policy development exercise ever undertaken in this area, including reviews of areas such as:
o current law enforcement issues,
o differing approaches to crime prevention and early intervention both nationally and internationally,
o the part played by sanctions and diversion,
o the role of victims and witnesses and
o the implications of changing technologies and social trends.
In developing the White Paper, I want the input of communities and ordinary people as well as criminologists and social scientists, and those at the front line in the fight against crime."
The Minister said that as the process develops, there will be no let up in the pace of reform already underway. In the weeks and months ahead for example, the Minister will be announcing major progress in areas such as;
o A ban on handguns,
o New surveillance powers to deal with gang-land crime and terrorism,
o A DNA database and
o The Justice for Victims Initiative.
Minister Ahern continued: "Tackling crime is my number one priority and I am satisfied that we have the techniques and resources to do this. What this process provides is an opportunity to look to emerging needs, challenges and opportunities, and to make sure that every facet of our response is well positioned for the future.
Ireland remains a country with a relatively low incidence of crime by international standards, but this is of little comfort to some victims and some communities whose lives are often disrupted and in some instances torn apart by persistent criminal activity.
Against this background, and in the context of the ongoing social and cultural changes in Irish society, it is time now to add to the range of anti-crime measures in place and in advanced preparation with a longer-term focus on tackling crime."
19 January 2009
Note for Editors
Consultation will play a key part in the development of the White Paper. Given the breadth of the subject matter, the intention is to structure this around a number of discussion documents to be produced over the next two years.
In addition, interested parties may at any time during the process send their views to the Department, in particular focusing on which subjects should be addressed. Updates on the White Paper process will be carried in a dedicated section of the Department's website at www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/White_Paper_on_Crime and an email address has been set up for the purpose of receiving feedback: