John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I compliment Deputy Calleary on introducing the Bill, which gives us an opportunity to put on record observations of attacks on front-line workers from our constituencies and around the country. The Bill is designed to protect front-line emergency workers, including fire fighters and ambulance service workers from grievous harm as they carry out their duties and try to keep our streets safe.

Our gardaí, nurses and fire fighters are front-line staff. As stated by Deputy Finian McGrath, our teachers are also finding it difficult these days to control some pupils in their classrooms.

The Government's response to this Bill is very much milk and water. The Minister of State, Deputy Keogh, referred to the 1994 and 1997 Acts. The world in which we live now is different from that which pertained when that legislation was introduced. As evidenced during the past few weeks by the shootings in Dublin and other parts of the country, there is little value on life these days. Attacks on front-line staff, in particular those working in accident and emergency departments, is something we have witnessed in all of our constituencies. We are all aware of the situations that arise following the closure of discos at 2 a.m. and the pouring out onto our streets of 1,500 to 2,000 young people, some of whom are intoxicated by alcohol and up for a row. Often the when the gardaí and ambulance service are called on to deal with these issues they are subjected to ferocious abuse and attacks. I have previously discussed with the chief superintendent of the Garda Síochána in my area the wisdom of all nightclubs closing at the same time. This does not make sense. The closing time of these clubs should be staggered.

We are all also aware from reports in the media of the problems faced by nurses and doctors in our accident and emergency departments, by, as stated by other Members, young people drunk or drugged. These people are causing mayhem and are subjecting those who are genuinely ill to abuse and attacks. There is no longer any respect by a minority of people for front-line services I am often appalled at the treatment of gardaí, nurses and doctors by people. This should not be tolerated. The Government should have accepted this Bill and allowed it to progress to Committee Stage where amendments, if required, could have been made. To reject it completely is not in the long term best interests of those which this Bill seeks to protect.

I read an article in a newspaper yesterday which highlighted abuse and physical attacks on emergency staff on Arthur's Day by people who were drunk. One fire-fighter spoke of the appalling situation in Dublin on Arthur's Day and of her dread of the upcoming Hallowe'en weekend. The need for protection in this area comes not from politicians but from those providing front-line services. Arthur Guinness would never have envisaged Arthur's Day being celebrated by attacks on gardaí or fire and ambulance service personnel. This did not happen only in Dublin. Problems in regard to Arthur's Day were also experienced in other parts of the country. Perhaps, as stated by Deputy Smith, the funding used in the promotion of Arthur's Day could be used in a way other than on special offers on beer and so on, which only encourages young people to get drunk and engage in mayhem on our streets.

During my conversations with ambulance service personnel in recent months I learned that the radio system in the ambulance service does not work in particular areas, resulting in staff losing contact with other crew and so on unless they use their own mobile telephones to make contact. It is important that the introduction of the new TETRA system, which has been promised for the past three years, is speeded up and made available to the ambulance service as quickly as possible. The staff also drew to my attention to the fact that they do have stab vests, which is amazing given the number of attacks on ambulance personnel these days. It is important they are provided with these as quickly as possible.

I welcome the Bill. As stated by most speakers, there is a need for updating of legislation in this area to ensure more adequate protection of people on the front line. This can only be done way of improvement of the legislation. This is what Deputy Calleary is seeking to do by way of the introduction of this Bill. I believe the Minister of State's decision to oppose the Bill is the wrong one. It should have been allowed to progress to Committee Stage where it could have been teased out and amended if necessary. It is important we have on our Statue Book legislation in this area that is relevant to modern Ireland. Given the drug and drink-related problems we are experiencing, Ireland is not what it was 30 or 40 years. Appalling attacks by a minority of people on our front-line service personnel should not and must not be tolerated. I call on the Minister to reflect on his decision and to accept this Bill which can, if necessary, be amended.

I thank Deputy Calleary for introducing this Bill, which provides us with an opportunity to have placed on the record of this House some of the appalling abuse of our front-line service staff, some of whom are working under stress, strain and, at times, in fear of their lives. The fire-fighter to whom I referred earlier in the context of the newspaper article on Arthur's Day said that she would like to continue in the Fire Services and to be able to carry out her duties without fear for her safety. She also said that regardless of how bad her shift is she always goes home with some job satisfaction. I am sure this is reflective of the feelings of all front-line service personnel. These people want to continue in their jobs but they want to be protected too. They believe it is our duty as legislators to bring forward legislation to ensure they are protected into the future.

I hope that this Bill will receive more detailed consideration by the Minister in the coming months.

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