Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank Deputy Griffin on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality for bringing forth this Bill. It is clear from Deputies' interventions that we are agreed on the need to ensure and, where possible, strengthen the protection of the Garda Síochána in the line of duty. Gardaí frequently find themselves in situations which most of us would not even wish to contemplate. On a daily basis, the Garda Síochána deliberately and voluntarily embrace danger so that we can be safe. This selfless dedication to their vocation deserves not only our recognition and thanks but our practical support.

Those who would cause injury to, or attempt to cause injury to, a fellow citizen deserve to be called to account before the courts. Those who would cause injury to a member of the Garda Síochána in the course of his or her duty must also be brought to book and punishment must be swift and proportionate. As I outlined earlier, the Oireachtas has already legislated in relation to assault of a general nature by way of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Persons Act 1997, which provides for proportionate penalties of up to ten years for assault causing harm and life imprisonment for assault causing serious harm. The Oireachtas has also recognised the special position of peace officers, including members of the Garda Síochána, by way of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, which makes specific provision for assault of a peace officer acting in the execution of his or her duty. The heinous nature of such an assault is recognised by the severity of the penalty of up to seven years imprisonment. The Criminal Damage Act 1991 makes express provision for criminal activity such as the deliberate ramming of a Garda vehicle, which recklessly endangers life, with a penalty in this regard of up to life in prison.

As Deputies will appreciate, the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, has not been slow in bringing forward legislation in the criminal justice area with a view to enhancing Garda powers and protection and, in doing so, has sought to build on and strengthen existing criminal legislation with a view to ensuring that the perpetrators of crime in our society do not go unpunished. The Minister is supporting the legislative measures which she has brought forward with practical ones. In particular, the increased investment in new Garda vehicles will provide the Garda Síochána with additional high powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, cars for surveillance and cover operations, motorcycles for high visibility road policing and vehicles for public order policing, all of which will result in more visible and responsive patrolling of motorways and rural communities, increased surveillance of criminal gangs and enhanced night-time public order policing.

I would like to respond to some of the issues raised during this debate, including the need for refurbishment of Donnybrook Garda station, which was raised by Deputy Eoghan Murphy. As Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works I will ask my officials to discuss this issue with the Garda housing unit. The Garda station refurbishment programme launched by the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Garda Commissioner in Athlone recently provides for an ambitious programme of upgrade and refurbishment of significant Garda stations and the construction of new Garda stations in large centres where they are required. It is only right and proper that our gardaí have facilities that are fit for them to work in and that the public has easy access to such facilities and can expect to visit their gardaí in modern and safe buildings.

The issue of rural crime and burglaries in general was also raised during this debate. This is an issue of which the Minister is very aware. Burglary is a persistent and highly damaging crime. As I mentioned, earlier this year, following an urgent review of the overall approach to dealing with burglaries the Minister published the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015. This legislation targets repeat burglary offenders through bail measures and provisions concerning the imposition of consecutive sentencing for repeat burglary offending. The key objective of this legislation is to target a cohort of persistent offenders who prey on law abiding households and clearly have no concern for the damage and distress which they inflict on others. It is hoped to have this new legislation enacted as soon as possible. When enacted, this legislation will underpin the concerted drive which is now being made by An Garda Síochána against those involved in burglary and other property crimes, which is co-ordinated under operation Thor. This is a new multi-strand, national anti-crime operation which will entail a broad range of activities to tackle burglars, organised crime gangs and prolific offenders, as well as working with our communities to prevent crime. The Garda approach includes additional high visibility patrols and an increase in checkpoints to tackle criminal gangs using the national road network, of which we have all, I am sure, evidence in our own communities.

In regard to the point raised by Deputy Fleming in relation to the recently published Garda Inspectorate report, I can assure Deputies that the reform agenda currently under way in the justice sector is aimed at modernising the Garda Síochána and ensuring that its resources are used to best effect. In regard to how consideration of the report is to be progressed, the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, intends to send that report to all of those to whom recommendations are directed and will request them to respond within a reasonably short timeframe, having regard to the size and scope of the report.

The Minister understands and thanks Deputy Griffin for his sincere motives in bringing forth this Bill and for the opportunity it provides us as a House to reassert and send out a message of support to members of An Garda Síochána as they go about their daily business on behalf of all of our communities. The Minister in supporting the underlying objective of this Bill does not intend to oppose it.

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