In the year under review, a number of highlights stand out in this Report. Among these are -
1) Mandatory alcohol testing, contributing to a decrease of 59 in the number of people killed on our roads in 2008;
2) The Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, enabling Gardaí to seize alcohol in certain circumstances which is resulting in a decrease in public disorder on our streets and in our communities;
3) The continued re-invigoration of An Garda Síochána, Courts, Prison and Probation Services and development of their services and capacities (through such projects as the Dublin Criminal Courts project);
4) The re-organisation and rationalisation of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of our Department in readiness for the enactment of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008;
5) The launch in May 2008 by the Minister of State for Integration, Conor Lenihan T.D., of Migration Nation, a Statement on Integration and Diversity Management, which sets out the future direction of integration policy in Ireland based on equality principles and a broad view of social inclusion.
6) The focussed delivery of services by our Youth Justice Service under its national strategy for 2008 to 2010 which was published in March 2008 and which is overseen by a National Youth Justice Oversight Group to ensure effective implementation;
7) Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit and the newly established Victims of Crime Office, each of which is driving initiatives for the benefit of particular categories of victims of crime and working closely with non-governmental organisations (NGOs);
8) The delivery of a significant programme of Criminal and Civil Law Reform; and
9) Further deepening of the processes of criminal justice co-operation with Northern Ireland with mutual benefits for people on both sides of the border.