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PEOPLE WHO ASSAULT gardaí and other emergency service workers could face jail sentences of up to 12 years under new plans to be submitted to the Government today.
The Government today agreed to a proposal for Minister for Justice Simon Harris to amend laws to increase sentences for assaults causing harm to members of An Garda Síochána and other frontline workers.
The minister said yesterday that the proposed legal changes would also apply to the ramming of a Garda vehicle and other emergency service vehicles.
He will seek permission to draft legislation to increase the maximum sentence for assaulting or obstructing a police officer from its current rate of seven years to 12 years.
This will done by way of committee stage amendments to the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which has already passed all stages in the Dáil. It is due before the Seanad for second stage on 23 May.
Speaking at the opening of a new regional office for the Dublin Metropolitan Region at Dublin Castle yesterday, Harris told Garda members: “We have your back when it comes to making sure you’re safe as you go about your duties.”
He added: “We can never ever, ever tolerate anybody attacking a member of the frontline emergency services.”
Increasing the maximum sentence will not only apply for attacks on gardaí but also assaults causing harm to emergency service workers, such as hospital staff, prison officers, members of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel or members of the Defence Forces.
The minister said he will also push forward with controversial plans to provide gardaí with body cams.
Separately, the minister will also seek Cabinet approval to extend provisions which allow for the sale and consumption of alcohol in outdoor seating areas.
The provisions were introduced during the pandemic to bring clarity regarding the law for licensed premises offering an outdoor seating area to customers.
The relevant legislation was initially in place until 30 November 2021, but can be extended every six months. It has been extended on a number of occasions, and Harris will seek Cabinet approval to do so again today.
It comes after the Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien waived the fees for outdoor furniture for hospitality premises.
Harris will today ask for the legislation for alcohol sales be extended until 30 November while work continues on longer term solutions under the Sale of Alcohol Bill.
The general scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill, allows for the extension of pub and nightclub opening hours, was published last autumn, and the full Bill is expected to be published and taken in the Dáil later this year.
Other items to be raised at today’s Cabinet meeting include the appointment of a director of the agency to oversee the excavation and exhumation at Tuam.
Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman, whose department oversees Mother and Baby homes, will seek approval for the appointee who will be named after the conclusion of today’s meeting.
Cabinet ministers approved a proposal last year to set up an independent office to oversee the exhumation of a sewage system on the site, where it is believed some 796 babies and young children were buried between 1925 and 1961.
Separately, Finance Minister Michael McGrath will seek approval for a two month extension of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) up to end of July.
The grant scheme is designed to assist businesses with their energy costs.
The same terms of the scheme will apply, with the extension allowing businesses to be able to claim for June and July.
Qualifying businesses can claim for 40% of the increases in their September 2022 to February 2023 energy bills and 50% of the increase in their March 2023 to May 2023 energy bills.
Government sources said it is expected wholesale price falls should start to be reflected in customer bills after that period.
In addition, Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney will bring a memo to Government extending the TBESS scheme to include businesses that use kerosene as a main source of energy.
It follows a Government decision in February to find a way to support more businesses with rising energy costs. TBESS has covered the majority of businesses who were majority gas customers up until this point, but this memo will now extend the support to majority kerosene users.
It is proposed to provide a once off flat rate payment to businesses that use kerosene.
This gap in cover was discovered after the Department of Enterprise engaged with businesses and their representative associations in January, it is understood. The support rate will be subject to a number of criteria (rateable premises, Revenue compliance etc) and the level of payment will be calculated from a businesses usage in 2022.
The scheme will be backdated to match the time period of the wider TBESS scheme.
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Probably would have been easier to list what’s not allowed to open!
@Alan: Fast food, restaurants, clothing/fashion stores – all that’s needed to stop the idiots going en-masse to places like Dundrum shopping centre as was seen in the past few days..
@Shane Corry: you think? There was a queue of 30 people outside woodies today! People all think their needs are essential. Some people seem incapable of just staying home
@Shane Corry: restaurant and coffee shops can stay open but cannot provide a sit in service
All must be only takeaway
@Shane Corry: Did I not hear that takeaways and restaurants can stay open but only for deliveries and takeaways??
@Alan: so woodies are managing it perfectly then. What’s your point?
@Alan:
Yes, stay at home, but many like to keep busy doing some gardening as it’s good for the soul, especially with growing season just starting, spring almost here and hopefully some warmer weather on the way.
DIY time also.
Plenty of badly needed consumer spending, economic activity in above lot while we wait for covid-19 to clear.
@Dave Harris: my point is who decided the staff in woodies dont deserve the same chance to protect themselves as everyone else – or any retailworker for that matter. Its conveniently ignored for the benefit of others
@Rory J Leonard: and risking themselves, the staff and others – for what?
@Rory J Leonard: Any consideration for the welfare of the staff or is it all about you and your gardening and to hell with everyone else.
@Alan: I was in my local Woodies Sunday afternoon. Numbers allowed in restricted & social distance guidelines enforced. Don’t see any issue.
@Alan: min ago
I called Woodies to query a cancelled order and they told me to pop in for a refund so obviously the staff aren’t too bothered. Plenty of measures in place to keep everyone safe and everyone adhering. Though admittedly I wouldn’t have been there had it not been requested.
1
Is anybody in the comment section here ever happy? Big bunch of moaners (and yes I’m moaning)
@Bitcoin Buddy: I like moaning ;-)
@Optimus Prime: as long as it’s not in a group
@Bitcoin Buddy: Being governed by someone who was rejected can do that to a nation…
@Richard Cronin: those types of gatherings are certainly off the cards!
Maybe I missed it, but does that mean Barbers will be closed? I’m going to look dangerously disheveled in a few more weeks.
I guess I should add. I am working remotely and people can still see me. Otherwise I wouldn’t care
@Richard: first world problem champ . people are dying
@Richard: buy your own hair cutting kit, I did the other day. Cost me 26e
Used it once already, after I use it the second time I’ll be saving money.
@FrontSeatDriver: I am acutely aware of that. I’m not trying to be facetious, just trying to get a sense of the finer details. I figure it is the same proximity as a dentist (obviously more important to health though).
@Barry: have one to handle the beard, but I’d end up like an avocado with bum fluff if I tried it on my head.
@Richard: Feck it mate, no where to pull now anyways
@Richard: don’t worry fella. People are particularly sensitive at the mo.
@Richard: I won’t recognise the missus this time next month!! This will separate the natural beauties from the fakes.
@Richard: get a pair of siscors.. And you’ll find you can cut most of your hair.. I do it.. The back of the neck is the only problem…. You get use to it.. And free..
@Richard: Yes! We’ll all look like Boris Johnson after a few weeks.
@Barry: can u link to the set you bought? I’m thinking of having a go myself. Trying to decide if the wife or my eleven year old son who at least knows what a mid-fade is will make a better job of it.
Thats a long list of shops that can stay open
@brian Carroll: phone shops , electricals , chemists, supermarkets , building supplies. That’s all really ?
@Mark Murphy: most retail parks have all these and I bet they will be packed
@Alan: And I’m sure there will be Gardai in these retail parks
@Alan: Only small numbers allowed in at one time. People won’t bother in they don’t need something. As long as people are keeping 2 feet away from others, not going there if sick and washing their hands when they get home there is no issue
@Damon16: 2 metres not 2 feet. Big difference
@Damon16: Big difference between two feet and two metres.
@Mark Murphy: off licences?? Really vital not
@Ray Ridge: about 4 foot in the difference
Are laundries and dry cleaners really that essential??
@Deccy Cassidy: some people don’t have washing facilities at home
@Deccy Cassidy: The honk off you, Deccy
@Deccy Cassidy: These facilitate hygenic measures, so, yes. Many people do not have washing machines, especially in apartments or room rentals. Not all apt bldgs have adequate laundry facilities.
@Richie Cosgrove: hahaha cracker. Thanks for the laugh.
@Deccy Cassidy: I supply them and I was laid off last Friday. 90% of them are closed already. The chemicals that are used will actually kill the virus on clothes
@Deccy Cassidy: they clean the hospital bed linen, curtains, gowns…etc
@Sean Ryan: Ge this straight Some people don’t like to wash, somepeople don’t need to wash and some people simply NEVER wash!
Now doesn’t that settle it all!!
@Deccy Cassidy: absolutely
What about Vape shops.
@Brian Heffernan: closed. Do you think Harris would leave them open? He hates vaping
@Brian Heffernan: how are they essential ?
@Brian Heffernan: get your local vape shop to have a Brennan’s Bread corner ! Sorted !
@Brian Heffernan: just have to put up with the cheap liquids from Mr price etc.
@Brian Heffernan: Mine is delivering and posting stuff.
@Brian Heffernan: good question !!!! I’m nearly out already ! I could not vape that crap in petrol stations or local shops !!! Imagine I ended up on the fags after self isolating since last Tuesday !!??? 7 to go !!!
@Brian Heffernan: buy on line. One day delivery.
My dog started coughing and collapsed while out for a walk a few minutes ago, hes ok now but will vets be open now?
@Aido: the vet in charlmount is still open,some are open only for emergencies. Hope you dog will be ok.
@L-jane: Thanks pal, I’ll ring around tomorrow. Max is grand now, but the way he just fell flat on his back after coughing violently for a few minutes, is very worrying.
@Aido: clontarf anicare should be open . They also have other practices all over Dublin open till 7 pm from 9.
@Isabel Oliveira: I cant make it over to Clontarf before 9, living in Shankill and have to mind the kids before the wife gets home from work the Mater. Hopefully he sees it through the night, hes panting heavily again and had another fall
@Aido: it doesn’t sound good could he hand swallowed something that is stuck in his airways. I’d get the light off your phone and have a look.
@Aido: Go to the Pet Emergency Hospital. Call them on 012609920 first
@Aido: yeah my local vets is still open. Nutgrove veterinary hospital.
@Aido: most vets would have an emergency number on their answering machine. Please ring this and get help for your dog. Some vets may come to the house even. Hope your dog gets better soon
@Aido: sounds like heart trouble
This should give the likes of Dealz Eurogiant and Mr Price ample reason to stay open.
@patrick o keeffe: Looks like it gives the green light to every car dealership in the country as well.
So basically… everything can stay open.
@Adam Conroy: Correct….it is a bit of a joke to be honest but government have to be seen to be doing something.
@Adam Conroy: not really if you think that’s everything open I dont know where you live . but in our town every takeaway and restaurant has been closed for a week.
@ed w: the instructions on what can stay open are so vague they could be interpreted any way you like.
So hardware shops and garden centres can stay open? Genuinely curious…
@just me: yes, but need to maintain soc distance etc
@just me: Hardware I can understand for essential home repair materials .
Garden centres – don’t really know about that one either – suppose a bit of gardening would be good for the soul .
Social welfare announcements sound good but really – Building Sites still open ?? !!!!
@just me: not if ur taps go etc or other stuff you dont think about until they break
@Self Employed Anarchist: was thinking that about the garden centres myself. Seems a bit lax but maybe because they are all outdoors??
@Self Employed Anarchist: dig up the lawn and plant a few spuds, it’s going to be a long hard winter.
@just me: most of the bigger diy stores have garden centres.
These latest measures are just tokenism. It is like they are waiting for an Italian situation to develop before they will act. Reactive not proactive, no leadership
I can see this been scaled back to less places in a week or two, if cases should keep rise dramatically? I sure as hell hope they dont. Stay safe everyone
When all is said and done everyone needs to remember how badly the extra welfare payments were needed and now be whinging about some additional taxes to pay in retrospect.
@I Speak My Mind: you got to feel sorry for anybody who lost their job just before the virus…… They are 150 euros worse off.
@I Speak My Mind: we’ve 13bn sitting in an interest earning fund managed account while we take europe to court… the 13bn doesnt put a dent in Apples coffers but we need it now.
@Ollie Conroy: Apple aren’t giving up that money yet there are years of court litigation before we see a cent of it
So apart from the extra payments no change at all.
I work in a hardware store and we have never been busier, its mental! People think that cause they are stuck at home that it’s essential that their kitchen gets painted. Some are in and out of the shop 3 or 4 times a day!! Really don’t think people are taking this seriously
No Golf now. If they shut Woodies I’ll go demented…
@Clubhouse Barman.: I can’t understand why golf courses are shut. Maybe about 30 or 40 people spread over many acres of land. But it is what it is which is nothing but a 1st world issue. ( maybe not for you as I take it you work in a club house) Main thing is everyone stays apart where possible . Be safe people.
@John fitzpatrick: courses are open I work on one its the facilities that are off limits
@Matthew Doyle: GUI and ILGU today have recommended that all courses close till April 19
@Matthew Doyle: no they’re not
@johnny_hezbollah: oh yes they are..
@John fitzpatrick: Ardee Golf Club car park was packed today
It’s a very long list of companies that can stay open. Any chance of a long list of premises that can’t??
Will Dunnes stores have to close their draperies?
@FrontSeatDriver: It’s curtains for them pal.
@Cormac Laffan:
@FrontSeatDriver: i’m laffan too
I’m getting married in a few weeks and I’m left with two busted up badly cemented temporary crowns on my front teeth because the dentist closed, took my money quick enough and now won’t finish the job, clearly the wedding will be postponed, is it a first world problem to be terrified I’ll have no front teeth
@Jeanette Dunne: All you want for Christmas is…….
So the entire private sector so the economy doesn’t collapse then….
Off license keeps open. Wtf?
@Ray Jakans: where esle would people buy Alcohol?
@Ray Jakans: essential
@Robbie Clancy: supermarkets
@Ray Jakans: people who wtf and ffs make no contributions to any debate
@Joey Navinski: Why send more people looking for beer to already packed supermarkets when they could go to an off license?
@Joe Davis: is alcohol essential when people should be focusing on their health more than ever before?
@Fergus O’Connor: fair point
@Ray Jakans: I don’t drink meself but could you imagine the chaos if people couldn’t get drink for weeks.
Great hindsight by the government to buy all them printers last year…going to come in handy for the foreseeable future.
@Derek Durkin: they bought one printer
Wonder what sportsworld stance is
Are pet shops going to wait open
@tom forde: my bad seen on the list
What’s the covid-19 numbers for today? Can’t seem to find them!
@Barry Ó Braonáin: Wondering the same thing here.
@Barry Ó Braonáin: 204 new cases
stupid list.
50% of which should be closed immediately.
@Brendan McCaffrey: What 50% and why???
I called them to query a cancelled order and they told me to pop in for a refund so obviously the staff aren’t too bothered. Plenty of measures in place to keep everyone safe. Though admittedly I wouldn’t have been there had it not been requested.
I don’t see Insurance Companies on the list, surely they are as important as the banks and post office and credit unions??????
@Lyndsay Rehn: can’t imagine many people have to visit insurance companies so why keep them open, I’m sure it’s business as usual (I use that phrase lightly) for a lot of companies that don’t require bricks and mortar premises
What’s the covid 19 numbers for today? Can’t seem to find them!
David icke And his lizards were right!!
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