Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the events of yesterday involving the prison officers, I, too, extend my sympathies to all concerned. In 2012, I introduced the Assaults on Emergency Workers Bill, which provided for additional protection for gardaí, nurses and prison officers who in protecting society put their lives in danger. The Government voted down that legislation because of technical difficulties and also because at that time it was awaiting a report on mandatory sentencing from the Law Reform Commission. The need for greater protection of our emergency workers has increased since 2012. Where are we at in terms of mandatory sentencing and would the Taoiseach be willing to take another look at my Bill if I reintroduced it?

See this speech in context