Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
522. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice how many gardaí were attacked and injured in during the rioting which took place in Dublin on 24 November 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54620/23]
View answerAt the outset I would like to condemn in the strongest possible terms any attack on a member of An Garda Síochána or any front-line worker. The rioting and violent disorder in Dublin on 23 November was disgraceful and I commend Garda members and all emergency services for their quick response.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that 12 incidents of assault whereby a Garda injured party was indicated were recorded on PULSE within DMR North Central Division on 23 November. I am also advised that these figures are operational and are liable to change.
In light of the riots, the Garda Senior Management Team has agreed on a range of measures to further support front-line Gardaí, including tooling all Gardaí with stronger incapacitant spray, expansion of the dog unit, increasing public order training, more tasers for public order policing, and provision of hand-held video cameras for public order units, among other measures.
I am committed to supporting An Garda Síochána in their mission of keeping people safe. The unprecedented allocation of €2.3 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.
I am also pleased to say that the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act passed all remaining stages in the Dáil and has been signed into law by the President. The Act provides for body worn cameras, Garda CCTV, automatic number plate recognition, and Community CCTV.
The crucial introduction of body-worn cameras is being accelerated through a separate proof of concept (POC) project involving the deployment next year of body-worn cameras in Dublin city centre.
