Seanad debates

Monday, 3 July 2006

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage.

 

9:00 pm

Photo of Maurice CumminsMaurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 42:

In page 160, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following:

"(b) by the insertion of the following:

"(2) Any person who assaults or threatens to assault—

(a) a person providing emergency medical services in any place, or

(b) a person assisting such a person, shall be guilty of an offence.",

(c) in subsection (2)—

(i) by the substitution of "under this section" for "subsection (1)", and

(ii) by the substitution of "€3000" for "£1000",".

The purpose of this amendment is to create the specific offence of assaulting members of the emergency services who are acting in the course of their duties. We all agree that there is no more heinous or cowardly act than to attack a fireman who is trying to save a life or property or a paramedic who is trying to save someone's life. We believe that this principle should be enshrined in our law.

Recently, a fireman received more than 35 stitches after being hit by a bottle in the course of duty. There have been many such incidents, including in our accident and emergency services. I know a girl of 26 or 27 years, a head sister in an accident and emergency unit, who gave up nursing because of the hassle and abuse and assaults she experienced while working there.

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