Written Answers Nos. 107 - 113
108. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who have been successfully prosecuted for data protection breaches in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40537/14]
View answerThe Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.
I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.
109. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will bring forward the sale of alcohol Bill. [40548/14]
View answerThe position is that the Government Legislation Programme published on 17 September indicates that publication of the Sale of Alcohol Bill is expected in mid-2015.
110. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has received requests this year from An Garda Síochána seeking permission to recruit additional staff and or obtain additional resources for the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation. [40549/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including personnel in the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
Specifically in relation to the Bureau of Fraud Investigation, I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the unit on 31 August 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 64 members.
Garda Management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in the Bureau with a view to ensuring an effective service is maintained and when additional resources next become available the needs of the Bureau will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of An Garda Síochána throughout the country.
111. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will engage with motor manufacturers to investigate the offers they are willing to make in order that the best possible value for money may be achieved when procuring the new fleet of Garda vehicles in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40606/14]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is, in accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005, the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote.
In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that an Garda Síochána procure vehicles in accordance with public procurement procedures and EU Directives under contracts tendered by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP)
112. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the penalties in law for attacking members of the fire service going about their business; if the law needs to be improved in view of the increase in the number of attacks on fire service staff; if members of the gardaí are needed to travel with fire staff to certain areas; if she will provide a full report on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40624/14]
View answerThere is specific legislation in place to deal with assaults of, or threats to, emergency workers in front line positions, which is contained in section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) 1994 Act (as amended by section 185 Criminal Justice Act 2006).
Section 19 provides that any person who assaults or threatens to assault a person providing medical services at or in a hospital or a peace officer acting in the execution of their duty is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or both or on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or to both.
A peace officer refers to member of the Garda Síochána, a prison officer, a member of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel or a member of the Defence Forces.
This offence also applies to assaults or threats to assault in relation to a person assisting a person providing medical services or a person acting to assist a peace officer.
Section 19 also provides for an offence of resisting or wilfully obstructing or impeding a person providing medical services, a peace officer or a person assisting them. In this regard an offender is liable on summary conviction to a fine or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or to both.
The offences in section 19 were extended to hospital, ambulance and fire brigade personnel by means of section 185 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 in order to address the problem of assaults and obstruction of personnel engaged in providing emergency services. In addition, in the case of an assault causing serious harm against emergency workers, an offender can be prosecuted under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 and could be subject to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
I hope the Deputy will agree that the law already recognises the gravity of any attack on emergency service personnel and members of An Garda Síochána who are carrying out their duty, and that the penalties which are in place clearly underline the seriousness with which such attacks are viewed .
In relation to the other issues referred to, the Deputy will appreciate that the fire services do not come within my remit, but I am assured that An Garda Síochána provide every appropriate assistance to emergency service personnel when they are requested to do so. Particular liaison is maintained with fire services and local authorities in the run up to Halloween and on Halloween night itself, in the context of overall policing plans to respond to issues of public safety and anti-social behaviour which can arise during this period.
