Mixed messages on Gangland Crime

Date: 21/10/2010
Posted by: Darragh

LABOUR UNDERMINING WAR ON GANGLAND CRIME WITH MIXED MESSAGES

Labour Senator Ivana Bacik has called for a reduction in the number of prison places. Unfortunately this is sending mixed messages on gangland crime and I am calling on the Labour party to get behind the efforts of the Gardaí to crackdown on crime lords or get out of the debate.

These comments are just the latest in a string of contradictory statements made by the Labour party on tackling crime. Senator Bacik's comments come only days after Ruairí Quinn said he favoured internment for gangland criminals. How can you call for more people to be put behind bars while also cutting down on the number of prison places? It just doesn't make sense.

It appears that the Labour Party is speaking out of both sides of its mouth when it comes to tackling crime. Whether Senator Bacik's comments are an effort to appeal to the party's traditional base and counter Deputy Quinn's new 'get tough' persona is unclear. What is clear, is that these mixed messages undermine the crackdown on gangland crime. If the Labour Party can't establish a clear policy on this issue and get behind the Gardaí, perhaps it should just get out of the debate.

Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised with these latest mixed messages. Labour has form on this one. At the height of violence in Limerick and in the capital the Labour Party called for criminal gangs to be "smashed" and put out of business. However, they had the brass neck to vote against the Criminal Justice Amendment Bill 2009. Even the Garda Commissioner has acknowledged that the far-reaching powers they have been given are working in the fight against gangs - another sign that Labour got it wrong again and has no credibility in the crime debate.

Tough talk is easy, but actually making a difference requires tough policy and tough action.