Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 December 2022
231. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if An Garda Síochána will provide details of the number of thefts and damage to bee keeping and related equipment (details supplied) per county in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62522/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the recording of information on the Garda PULSE system. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
However, I have been informed by An Garda Síochána that there is no sub-category that exists on the PULSE system that would allow them to record thefts of this type. As such they are unable to provide a reliable answer to the issues raised by the Deputy.
The Deputy may be aware that presently there are strict penalties in place for theft offences. Theft is an offence under section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Anyone convicted of a theft offence is liable to a penalty of a fine or up to 10 years imprisonment. Under section 14 of the Act, a person found guilty of robbery (theft using coercion or force) is potentially liable on conviction on indictment to life imprisonment.
