DCBA Chairman calls for Community Courts
Wednesday the 7th of May 2008
Speaking at the organisation's 34th AGM today, (Friday, 28th March), the Chairman of the Dublin City Business Association (DCBA) has
called on the Minister for Justice to introduce Community Courts into
Ireland to help combat the growing anti-social behaviour on our streets.
DCBA has learned that the city centre during the day time, with an average footfall of 700,000, is perceived as safe and welcoming by the general public.
However, that is not the case with the evening time where footfall
drops to 8,000 and this negatively impacts on the economic performance
of the Capital City. Last year the National Crime Council recommended
the introduction of Community Courts into Ireland however to date the
Minister for Justice has not done so.
According to the DCBA Chairman, Basil Good, "We are
disappointed that despite a recommendation in 2007, the proven
effective system of Community Courts has not been introduced. There is
a need for Government to look at solutions that will have long term
impact on anti-social and lager lout behaviour with an element of
restorative justice where the criminals make restitution to the
communities in which they have done their crime. When introduced in the
US the Community Courts have proven to reduce recidivism to 16% within
three years. Currently there is no such effective system in Ireland and
anti-social behaviour is spiraling out of control."
In terms of the performance of city centre economy,
the DCBA reports that trading is up about 6% on the previous year.
"Contrary to negative sentiment commentators, the city centre performed
very well in the last quarter of 2007 and continues to do so."
Mr. Good highlighted that improved access and public
transport services for the public are required to ensure the city's
continued success. The DCBA congratulated the Government on its
commitment to Transport 21 and in particular the introduction of Metro
North. "Reliable public transport is the lifeblood of the city centre
and we welcome the Government's commitment to the development of Metro
North and Luas BX - we are however disappointed that work Luas BX has
been delayed."
Dublin City Business Association represents the
retailers, property owners and transport companies of Dublin City
Centre. Collectively its members employ 25,000 people.
Speaking at the organisation's 34th AGM today, (Friday, 28th March), the Chairman of the Dublin City Business Association (DCBA) has called on the Minister for Justice to introduce Community Courts into Ireland to help combat the growing anti-social behaviour on our streets.
DCBA has learned that the city centre during the day time, with an average footfall of 700,000, is perceived as safe and welcoming by the general public. However, that is not the case with the evening time where footfall drops to 8,000 and this negatively impacts on the economic performance of the Capital City. Last year the National Crime Council recommended the introduction of Community Courts into Ireland however to date the Minister for Justice has not done so.
According to the DCBA Chairman, Basil Good, "We are disappointed that despite a recommendation in 2007, the proven effective system of Community Courts has not been introduced. There is a need for Government to look at solutions that will have long term impact on anti-social and lager lout behaviour with an element of restorative justice where the criminals make restitution to the communities in which they have done their crime. When introduced in the US the Community Courts have proven to reduce recidivism to 16% within three years. Currently there is no such effective system in Ireland and anti-social behaviour is spiraling out of control."
In terms of the performance of city centre economy, the DCBA reports that trading is up about 6% on the previous year. "Contrary to negative sentiment commentators, the city centre performed very well in the last quarter of 2007 and continues to do so."
Mr. Good highlighted that improved access and public transport services for the public are required to ensure the city's continued success. The DCBA congratulated the Government on its commitment to Transport 21 and in particular the introduction of Metro North. "Reliable public transport is the lifeblood of the city centre and we welcome the Government's commitment to the development of Metro North and Luas BX - we are however disappointed that work Luas BX has been delayed."
Dublin City Business Association represents the retailers, property owners and transport companies of Dublin City Centre. Collectively its members employ 25,000 people.