The tide has been turned in relation to street violence and alcohol-related crime, the Minister for Justice said today.
In a progress report on the year, Mr McDowell said the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act and the intoxicating Liquor Act, together with targeted Garda responses were successful in battling street crime.
The Minister said he would be giving priority to a number of Bills that should be published before the Oireachtas reconvenes.
These are: the Garda Síochána Bill, the Civil Liability and Courts Bill, the Disability Bill and the Equality Bill.
The Minister said the Garda Síochána Bill, aimed at reforming the force and providing for an independent Ombudsman, will represent the most far-reaching reform of the structure and organisation of the Garda Síochána, since its establishment almost 80 years ago.