Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I express my solidarity with those members of the Prison Service whom Deputy O'Sullivan referenced. Of course, prison officers will be covered by this change, as will those providing medical assistance, those working in the National Ambulance Service, the Defence Forces, and members of An Garda Síochána and of the fire service. We are referring to people who are currently termed and defined under the legislation as "peace officers". There is also a provision for those who are assisting those peace officers, so anyone who is assisting those providing an emergency service will also be covered.

There are more measures we intend to take and I do not suggest by any manner or means that this law is the end of the matter. We need to do what the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, AGSI, and the Garda Representative Association, GRA, and others have called for, which is to look at the whole public order Actvis-à-visantisocial behaviour. Gardaí face threats and come across scenarios now that the current legislation did not envisage. We have to look at the equipment gardaí have, at things like their pepper spray, their gloves and their uniform. That is being looked at by the Garda Commissioner in terms of any extra protections that can be provided, but the best protection we can give them is more colleagues. Growing the number of prison officers, gardaí and so on is essential.

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