Taoiseach defends Govt’s record on tackling crime
The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has rejected claims that crime in Ireland is out of control.
Mr Ahern was responding to comments in the Dáil from Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who said many people were no longer reporting criminal acts because of lack of confidence in the gardaí.
The Taoiseach defended the Government's record in tackling crime, saying it had hired more gardaí, had given more resources to the Force, had introduced stronger laws and had improved the criminal justice system.
"That is why crime figures are down," he said.
