Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the growing practice of persons begging at major junctions, often in dangerous traffic circumstances; the law in this matter; if he has plans to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43347/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Government recently approved my proposals for new legislation to deal with the outcome of the High Court judgement which found that section 3 of the Vagrancy (Ireland) Act 1847 was unconstitutional. That was the section under which prosecutions for begging were brought. The new legislation is now being drafted. I expect it will be published in 2009.

The General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Public Order)(Amendment) Bill is available on my Department's website. The new legislation will provide that begging will be an offence where it is accompanied by unacceptable behaviour such as harassment, obstruction or intimidation. The Bill will also provide a new power that will enable the Gardaí to direct persons who are begging to desist. A failure to comply with a direction may result in an arrest and charge. I believe this new power will prove to be an effective addition to the enforcement options available to the Gardaí.