Vol. 570 No. 2
470 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to establish a national hate crimes unit of the Garda Síochána, modelled on best practice examples, to deal more effectively with the increase in hate-motivated crimes. [18261/03]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Racial and Intercultural Office was established to co-ordinate, monitor and advise on all aspects of policing in the area of ethnic and cultural diversity. Incidents that are motivated by racism, sectarianism, homophobia, xenophobia and anti-Semitism are recorded on the PULSE computer system. Where such incidents occur, the Garda Síochána ensures that an investigation is pursued with reference to the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and the Prohibition of the Incitement to Hatred Act 1989, which are the relevant legislative instruments pertaining to hate crime.
All student-probationer gardaí receive training on dealing with hate motivated crimes. Instruction is given on: race and ethnicity and awareness of the sociology of race and ethnicity concepts; psychology of the attitudes and prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination in society; discrimination against the Traveller Community; dealing with asylum seekers; dealing with the homeless; dealing with race-related crimes; the law in relation to hate-motivated crime and the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989; and instruction is also given on the protection of human dignity and the rights of all persons.
