Limerick's Chamber of Commerce has accused the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, of ignoring its needs following a delay in the introduction of CCTV cameras in city-centre areas.
The Department of Justice has now indicated that cameras will be in the city by the end of the year.
The chamber's president, Mr David O'Mahony, said members had met the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Garda Commissioner and the leader of the Fine Gael party. But they had failed to secure a meeting with Mr O'Donoghue to voice their concerns since he officially opened a new Garda station in the city last year.
"There is a category of crime in Limerick that is taking disproportionate resources away from us compared to other regions. We have difficulties regarding a police presence on the street, and this is during the day as distinct from at night," Mr O'Mahony said.
"The commercial sector is putting vast resources into security firms that are really doing the job gardaí are doing." Mr O'Mahony, a bookseller in O'Connell Street, added that the city was still awaiting the installation of 27 cameras promised since 1999. He has written a number of times to the Minister, accusing him of procrastination and saying he has been "inactive in matters pertaining to this region".
"I am very upset with the ignorant response from the Minister," he said.
A Department of Justice spokesman said the chamber had been advised some weeks ago that Mr O'Donoghue was awaiting further information in relation to the CCTV proposals but that he was more than willing to meet them.
The city is one of 10 priority areas identified by the Minister. He has committed expenditure of €15.2 million (£12 million) on CCTV systems between 2001 and 2003. The cameras for Limerick, to cost about €1 million according to a Garda estimate, were originally due to be installed in early 2001. The Department spokesman said the intention now was that Limerick and other locations would have cameras operational by the end of this year.
The other locations include parts of Dublin and Cork, Bray and Dundalk. There are plans to extend a limited system in Cork. It is understood that the awarding of tenders for the CCTV installation is imminent.
"I would say that business would never be found wanting in making a contribution," Mr O'Mahony said.
In correspondence with his party colleague, the Limerick TD, Mr Willie O'Dea, Mr O'Donoghue said in July 1999 that he was keen for CCTV to be installed in prioritised areas as soon as possible.
Mr O'Mahony added that the issue was not just one for ratepayers. As well as being a crime deterrent and a source of evidence in criminal cases, CCTV could be used for traffic management.