Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 6

Written Answers. - Powers of Search.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

354 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has which would permit or prevent night-club staff from physically searching a person against their will; the conditions under which a search might apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26938/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

Under existing law the physical search of a person without the person's consent and without lawful authority would constitute an assault. I have no proposals to alter the law to grant a statutory power of search to nightclub staff.