23rd October 2003

PRESS RELEASE

GREEN PARTY CRITICAL OF GOVERNMENT U-TURN ON 2000 EXTRA GUARDS (as sexual assaults, car thefts and aggravated burglaries rise)

The Green Party has criticised the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell TD for performing a u-turn on the Government's Election Manifesto promise to provide 2000 extra Gardaí.

In a speech today at the Garda Graduation Ceremony the Minister for Justice stated that Garda numbers will only be increased from 11,900 to 12,200 during 2004.

"The Green Party want more Gardaí on the streets and less spinning of the statistics, " stated Green Party Justice Spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD today.

"While there has been a reduction in some types of crime, there has also been a significant increase in other areas. "Anecdotal evidence also suggests that many people are under-reporting less serious crime as they believe that the Gardai are unable to devote resources to solving such crimes."