Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Justice and Equality, Niall Collins TD has queried why the crime statistics compiled by the CSO on a quarterly basis have not been published for Quarter 3 of 2014. These statistics are usually published in December of the same year. The Garda Inspectorate Report on Crime Investigation published in November 2014 severely criticised the way statistics were recorded by An Garda Síochána. The Report also recommended developing new Crime Counting Rules for both recording and detecting crime in which the Central Statistics Office should have a central role.
Deputy Collins commented: “It is highly unusual that we would have to wait so long for the publication of crime statistics from the CSO. The same statistics for the 2013 period were published before Christmas in that year. Yet, we are still waiting in February for the same statistics for last year. I am calling on the Minister to clarify why these statistics have yet to be published and when they will be published. I would also like the Minister to outline how she intends to address the concerns raised by the Garda Inspector’s Report.
“We need to ensure that the statistics which are published are a correct reflection of the crime situation in the country. These statistics are vital in formulating public policy and allocating resources to An Garda Síochána.”