The public will be understandably sceptical about the Government's anti crime package announced last night. There will be suspicion that the Government has simply cobbled together a response to the murder of Veronica Guerin in order to save its own face instead of working to frame a long term strategy to combat crime.
That said, the Government's package appears to be more considered than might have been expected. There is the traditional emphasis on more resources and more law but there is also an important acknowledgement that the efficiency of the Garda Siochana itself needs to be examined.
The Government's decision to conduct a full review of the efficiency of the force under the Strategic Management Initiative, to be completed before the end of this year, is somewhat less than the commission on the criminal justice system which has long been advocated by this newspaper. The case for an integrated and long term examination of how each element of the criminal justice system relates to the other is still compelling, but the proposed review of Garda efficiency is still a progressive and welcome move. The fact that the next Garda Commissioner will be "obliged to implement the recommendations of this review" suggest that the Government is determined to set new targets for the force in the fight against crime.
The Garda can say with some legitimacy that the legal system has not helped its battle against organised crime in Dublin but this is only part of the story. The force's own capacity to investigate and detect serious crime has also been inhibited by over rigid management and inflexible procedures. How can it be, for example, that in a force of 10,000 plus members, only 1.5 per cent are dedicated anti drugs officers, especially when the drugs issue represents the most serious threat to the quality of life in this State?
On the basis of last night's announcement, it is clear that the murder of Veronica Guerin is at the very least beginning to concentrate political minds on crime and criminality in this State. Mr Bruton's stark message to those involved in organised crime that they are "not untouchable" is a belated recognition that several leading criminal figures in this State have, indeed, been able to cock a snook at the criminal justice system.
The legal changes now under consideration by the Government in response to this situation clearly limit many of our traditional civil liberties. The curtailment of the right to silence, changes in the bail laws and the possible use of the Special Criminal Court in drugs cases have already drawn strong criticism from civil liberties groups and some lawyers.
Much of this concern is well grounded. The Garda does not enjoy an unblemished record in respect of those in its custody. And the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the Flannery trial last week will not inspire public confidence.
But the murder of Veronica Guerin and indeed yesterday's sinister phone call to the Labour deputy, Ms Roisin Shortall, underline how organised crime now represents an affront to this society. It is worth recalling that Veronica Guerin was passionate in her demand for changes in the legal system which would make those involved in organised crime amenable to our criminal justice system. The outgoing Garda Commissioner, Mr Patrick Culligan, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Eamonn Barnes, have also made the case for change.
The Government's task now is to ensure that the proposed legislative changes are well balanced and that the necessary safeguards are in place to ensure that the new powers are efficiently used but not abused.