Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 April 2008
561 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the Garda does not prosecute offenders who continue to develop under an Act (details supplied); if they are precluded from doing so; if so, the action he will take to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14027/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Act referred to by the Deputy creates a number of criminal offences which are punishable by fine and or imprisonment. The penalties for these offences are set out in section 156 of the Act. I am informed that while members of An Garda Síochána have a common law duty to enforce the law, they have no expressed powers under the Act in question. Section 157 of the Act expressly bestows the power to prosecute offences under the Act on the Planning Authority.
