Eleven pieces of legislation introduced by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform passed through both houses of the Oireachtas in 2003, according to a statement from the Department.
These included the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, the Intoxicating Liquor Act, the Immigration Act and the European Convention on Human Rights Acts.
The Minister, Mr McDowell, said he was particularly pleased that the Acts on Intoxicating Liquor and Public Order were now on the statute books as, together with targeted Garda responses, they were successfully turning the tide in relation to street violence and alcohol-related crime.
The Minister added that a further 10 Bills are now at various stages before the Houses of the Oireachtas. These are the Tribunals of Enquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Bill, dealing with inquiries, the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill, the Private Security Services Bill, the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill and the International Criminal Court Bill.
Other Bills that will be given priority in the New Year include the Garda Síochána Bill, the Disability Bill, the Equality Bill and the Civil Liability and Courts Bill.
The Garda Síochána Bill will reform the Garda Síochána and provide for an independent Garda ombudsman. Mr McDowell said it would represent the most far-reaching reform of the structure and organisation of the Garda since its establishment almost 80 years ago.
"It will ensure that the Garda Síochána is best organised to meet the complex challenges posed by policing in the 21st century, consistent with the need for transparency and accountability," said Mr McDowell.