MORE gardai, more prisons, "zero tolerance" and mandatory sentences for drug traffickers are the ways to tackle crime, according to the Progressive Democrats manifesto.
The party unveiled a set of anti crime policies yesterday so closely allied to those of Fianna Fail that they are virtually indistinguishable. The only significant difference is that Fianna Fail has put forward detailed proposals to help drug abusers overcome their addiction.
For the Progressive Democrats, the stress is on law enforcement. The party promises an extra 1,500 prison places, with new jails (including one for drug addicts) to be built by private companies which would lease them to the State.
There are also promises to "shut the revolving door and end the scandal of temporary release' and to end the petitions system by which the Minister for Justice can reduce court fines or other penalties.
The party leader, Ms Mary Harney, said the PDs would complete the recruitment programme for 1,000 extra gardai, initiated by the Government. She would not give a commitment on the claim by gardai for a pay increase, saying the current review of the force "has to deliver savings".
We want a new attitude from the Garda, and from everybody in our society, towards the breakdown in law and order."
"Zero tolerance", PDs style, "does not mean sending everybody to jail. It means using fines; using warnings; community service orders."
Asked several times if the party was planning new measures to stop gardai holding other jobs, she refused to answer, saying she regarded the job of a garda as a "full time position".
The PDs anti crime proposals include a unified prosecution service (combining the roles of the DPP and Chief State Solicitor). The party also wants victims of sexual offences to have legal representation in court.
The PDs support the existing Government policy of eliminating waiting lists for drug treatment and advocate expansion of treatment programmes which do not involve methadone.