Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the changes to current legislation that are being considered to properly protect front-line gardaí from assaults in the wake of an alleged attack (details supplied), whilst also considering that assaults on gardaí have reached 800 in a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19822/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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It is worth noting that Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 as amended by Section 185 of the Criminal Justice Act of 20006 already provides that any person who assaults or threatens to assault a peace officer 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. In this context, "Peace Officer" includes a member of An Garda Síochána as well as other emergency workers.

Persons found guilty of offences under that act are liable on summary conviction to a Class A fine (not exceeding €5,000) and/or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months, or both. The penalty on conviction on indictment is a fine determined by the Court or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 7 years, or both. The situation will be kept under review and I will have no hesitation in bringing forward proposals for additional sanctions if the need arises. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the number of reported assaults against Peace Officers was 249 in 2010 and 150 to date in 2011.