Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I move amendment No. 17:

In page 15, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following:

"54C.—Where any person is obstructing or interfering with access from a public road to a service area, or fails to leave the service area having been requested to do so where the person is occupying the service area in such a manner as to interfere with the amenities thereof, a member of the Garda Siochána may without warrant remove the person or any thing belonging or appearing to belong to the person from the service area.".

This amendment aims to create an offence of obstructing access to service areas. Similar principles underpin further amendments in respect of areas used by the public, such as thoroughfares that are open to the public but are privately owned. Clarity is needed in the enforcement of the law in these areas, for example, if someone were to park in such a way as obstructed access to a service area or to engage in any other kind of anti-social activity in those areas. It is necessary to create a new offence because the gardaí seem to be uncertain of their powers in respect of public areas that are privately owned. These are new areas and the uncertainty needs to be dealt with.

See this speech in context