Seanad debates

Monday, 3 July 2006

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage.

 

10:00 pm

Derek McDowell (Labour)

Someone assaulted in the same circumstances as those two firefighters should have some form of compensation available to him or her. They are not my employees. I am responsible for the Garda. In so far as we are including its members in the term "peace officers", I see the moral force of what the Senator is suggesting, but I cannot accept a new form of liability on the part of the State. In any event, the existing law relating to the compensation of members of An Garda Síochána is in need of reform, which I did not address in the context of the Garda Síochána Acts. I cannot give a commitment to broaden this protection to other services.

It has always struck me as slightly odd that if Senator Norris went to the aid of a young garda who had been beaten up outside Leinster House and, for his trouble, the Senator took a brick to the head and was seriously injured, the garda would get compensation but the Senator would not. It is a strange system, but I am not in a position to right all the wrongs of the world.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.