Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to award members of the Garda Síochána special status and protection while on duty in view of the fact that they have no standing under current legislation as had been highlighted by the case of the late Garda Robbie McCallion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10460/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I believe it is right that the law recognises the gravity of any attack on a member of An Garda Síochána or the emergency services who are carrying out their duty, serving and protecting the public. The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, as amended by the Criminal Justice Act of 2006, specifically provides that any person who assaults or threatens to assault a peace officer (including members of An Garda Síochána) acting in the execution of his or her duty, knowing that he or she is, or being reckless as to whether he or she is, a peace officer so acting, shall be guilty of an offence. The 2006 Act also increased the maximum penalty to 7 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine. Any person who resists or wilfully obstructs a peace officer in the execution of his or her duty is also guilty of an offence. I have no proposals at present for further legislation in relation to this matter but the situation will be kept under review.