CRIME will not be solved with out tackling long term unemployment, the Taoiseach said.
Responding to opposition demands for action on the escalating crime wave, Mr Bruton said it was very important to make the association between long term unemployment, drug abuse and crime. An estimated 80 per cent of heroin users were young, long term unemployed males 80 per cent of the male prisoners in Mountjoy had a record of drug abuse.
"That is why this Government has put so much emphasis, as a united Government, with all parties contributing, in tackling long term unemployment. We recognise that unless you tackle long term unemployment you do not have a hope of tackling the causes of crime in our society.
He said that people who were lucky enough to have money and jobs would only be safe if the crime problem was tackled. "And to tackle the crime problem, we must also tackle long term unemployment.
He said legislation dealing with drug trafficking would be introduced within a matter of weeks. Other legislation, including the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, would be introduced in the spring. A criminal law Bill, to change the distinction between felonies and misdemeanours, and a Bill dealing with the plea of insanity in criminal offences, would also be introduced.
But any legislation would involve a substantial reduction of the rights of accused, or potentially accused, persons. That was something that required the very best legal and constitutional advice available to the Government.
The PD leader, Ms Mary Hearney, said in any civilised society the rights of accused persons must be protected. But victims had rights, too, and more than legislation was needed. There was a need to look at the management of the Garda and of prisons. She called for a Dail debate on crime.
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, said everybody in the House was becoming increasingly concerned with the rise in crime and he urged the Taoiseach to accept the Fianna Fail Misuse of Drugs Bill, which had been moved by the party's spokesman on justice, Mr John O'Donoghue.
Mr Bruton said the Government was at an advanced stage in preparing a Bill on precisely that topic. He expected the text to be approved within the next three weeks or so, and published.