23 MFómh 2014, 11:06
The services provided to tourists who become victims of crime will be on the agenda of the Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality when it meets with representatives from the Irish Tourist Assistance Service tomorrow, Wednesday, 24th September 2014.
Committee Chairman David Stanton TD said: “While Ireland is generally regarded as a safe destination for tourists and crimes against tourists remain low by international standards, unfortunately a number of tourists become victims of crime every year. Last year saw an increase in the number of tourists seeking assistance from the service, the majority of whom had been victims of theft and since the Irish Tourist Assistance Service was set up 20 years ago, it has assisted over 7,500 cases of crime incidents which involved assisting almost 13,000 tourists. For a tourist, the trauma of being a victim of crime can be compounded by language, culture and legal differences. The Irish Tourist Assistance Service is a specialist service offering immediate support and assistance to tourists who are victimised while visiting Ireland. The Service, which is free and confidential, is run by staff and volunteers who speak a variety of languages. It acts as a base where problems facing a tourist can be addressed promptly with the view to getting holiday plans back on track. Tomorrow we will have an opportunity to discuss the work of the Irish Tourist Assistance Service in more detail, examine the problem of crimes committed against tourists and consider how we can make Ireland a safer destination for visitors.”
This meeting will take place at 11am on Wednesday, 24th September 2014 in Committee Room 2.
Committee proceedings can be followed live here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
Media Enquiries to:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Email: Ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie
Committee Membership
Deputies: Niall Collins (FF); Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (FG); Alan Farrell (FG); Anne Ferris (LAB) [Vice-Chairman]; Seán Kenny (LAB); Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (SF); Finian McGrath (IND); John Paul Phelan (FG); David Stanton (FG) [Chairman]
Senators: Ivana Bacik (LAB); Martin Conway (FG); Rónán Mullen (IND); Denis O’Donovan (FF); Katherine Zappone (IND); Tony Mulcahy (FG)