Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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1627. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is aware of the difficulties faced by businesses in accessing information (details supplied); if changes can be introduced to have this information supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20812/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government and An Garda Síochána recognise that shoplifting and organised retail crime pose a significant threat to the economic welfare of Irish retailers.

Retail theft is a serious matter, and it is not a ‘victimless’ crime. These incidents do real harm not only to the business owners, their staff and families, but also affect the community.

Officials in my Department are conducting preliminary planning work on developing a retail crime strategy.

The Programme for Government also commits to tackling retail defamation and to updating the Public Order Acts to allow a prolific perpetrator of retail crime to be excluded from a premises for a period of time.

On the specific issue raised by the Deputy, the definition of 'victim' in the Victims of Crime Act is a natural person; “victim” means a natural person who has suffered harm, including physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss, which was directly caused by an offence. The Act is not intended to cover corporate bodies and other similar entities.

Officials in my Department are raising the issue highlighted by the Deputy with An Garda Síochána.