Retail worker safety
Deputy Geoghegan called for specific offences to protect retail workers from harassment and threats after a violent Temple Bar assault. The Taoiseach said he would raise the matter with the Minister, but noted existing assault laws and the need to focus on sentencing and enforcement.
I am sure the Taoiseach shares my condemnation of the violent assault that took place in Temple Bar, which I know is before the courts so I will not comment on it any further. What we do know is that safety continues to be an ongoing issue in Dublin city, particularly as it relates to retail workers. Obviously, it is not just an issue in Dublin but is nationwide. Over 300,000 people work in retail in Ireland. One of the big asks of the retail sector is that we would introduce specific offences dealing with retail workers who are harassed or face threats. I know this is an issue that has been debated in the Seanad and that my colleague, Deputy Butterly, intends to publish a Private Members' Bill on it but could the Taoiseach update the House on how this is being examined by the Government and whether the Government is considering progressing this as an issue because the time has come for us to have a specific offence dealing with retail workers and assaults and threats of assault against them in the same way that we introduced hate legislation and harm in respect of hate legislation?
Comment on this
I will raise the issue with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, although there are offences and they are well provided for - any assault on any person. It gets a bit complicated if we start categorising. We have specifics for emergency care workers, bus workers and transport generally. The attack in Temple Bar was appalling. The issue is the behaviour of the individuals who do this sort of thing. We have to look at sentencing and we need to be very clear that the criminal justice system is in a position to apprehend those responsible for such violent acts and to put them away for a decent amount of time. Deterrence is required here because far too casually, people are using violence to carry out terrible deeds that kill people or create very severe impacts for and inflict very severe damage to people for the rest of their lives. These are life-altering injuries in some cases and it is reprehensible. I will talk to the Minister.