Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Seanad for the debate. There are very few occupations in this country where a person goes out to work and is never sure whether he or she will come home or, as my colleague, Senator McDowell, has pointed out, whether he or she may come home with a broken leg and that may only be the outward symbol of what happened. There are vicious attacks every day of the week on members of An Garda Síochána. In 2020, more than 200 such attacks took place. A significant number of members of the force have given their lives in the course of their duty.

There is one only regrettable part of the Bill that I see, namely, the provision that if a person does not go through the PIAB and instead decides to go to the courts, where a reward that is lower than what was on offer is given, he or she will be caught for full court fees. I understand why that provision is there but it will act, in effect, as a sort of a gun to people's head. I hope that when injuries are assessed, it is done based on the occupation of the individuals and the risks to their lives they undertook in going to work each day. I welcome the Bill and I hope it leads to speedy settlements. My brother, who, sadly, is not with us anymore, suffered horrendous injuries while serving as a member of An Garda Síochána. He had to wait meet many years for a settlement to come through. That should never be the case. If the Bill expedites that process, it will be a good thing.