Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to legislate for mandatory jail terms for violent unprovoked assaults and to specifically criminalise the practice of "happy slapping"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40043/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, 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. In the context of other legislative priorities, the need for additional measures is under consideration in light of the commitment in the Programme for Government 2007-2012 to legislate for mandatory jail terms for violent unprovoked assaults and specifically criminalise the practice of so-called "happy slapping".