Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)

I am looking for the Minister's support for a Bill that is currently working through Third Stage. The Protection of Accident Victims from Non-Consensual Recording of Images Bill is aimed at addressing the worrying trend of persons videoing the scenes of accidents and sharing them online. As recently as 3 May, a young man in Cork drowned. Following this, his family had to appear on national media to ask for witnesses not to share footage of the incident. Last week, I walked down the main street of Gorey, County Wexford, to my office and witnessed a very distressing accident. I must compliment the emergency services in Gorey for their quick response. I single out Dr. John, Dr. Kilian and Nurse Middleton, but I was stunned and horrified to see people driving by that accident and videoing the victim on the ground. This was totally disrespectful to the person affected. Recording such incidents is repulsive and those involved in taking images of tragic, sometimes fatal, scenes must be challenged and should be prosecuted.

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