Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
595. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice what action is being taken or can be taken to address the issue of threats and intimidation against individual members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55452/23]
View answerI am sure the Deputy will agree that we are all immensely grateful to An Garda Síochána for their outstanding dedication and commitment and for the important role that they play in our society, all too frequently putting themselves in real danger. I would like to condemn in the strongest possible terms any threats against members of An Garda Síochána or any front-line worker. It is imperative that Gardaí are protected in carrying out their work and that the law reflects and responds to the situations in which they find themselves.
As the Deputy is aware, it would not be appropriate for me to detail the operational measures that the Garda authorities have taken or would take generally in situations where individual Gardaí are subject to threats or intimidation. However, I can assure the Deputy that whatever protective and detection measures are deemed appropriate by the Garda authorities will certainly be taken.
I can assure the Deputy that I am also committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the statutory powers they require. There is a range of robust legislative provisions available to the Garda authorities in circumstances where threats or assaults are made against Gardaí.
I have already introduced tough new sentences, including doubling the maximum sentence for assault causing harm to 10 years. I have also increased the sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life, and the sentence for assaulting a Garda or emergency worker from 7 to 12 years.
I am pleased to say that the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 was signed into law by the President on 5 December. 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 project involving the deployment next year of body-worn cameras in Dublin city centre.
