Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 479: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to legislate for mandatory jail terms for violent unprovoked assaults and specifically criminalise the practice of so-called happy slapping. [19305/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 provides for offences in relation to assault, assault causing harm, causing serious harm, threats to kill or cause serious injury as well as a range of other offences and includes appropriate penalties. The need for further measures in the light of the commitment in the Programme for Government 2007-2012 dealing with violent unprovoked attacks and the practice of so-called "happy slapping" is under consideration. Consideration of this issue is taking place in the context of other legislative priorities within my Department.