People who assault gardaí could soon face sentences of 12 years in prison.

The interim Justice Minister Simon Harris is bringing forward new laws aimed at increasing sentences for assaults on gardaí and other emergency service workers.

The new laws will also apply to people who ram emergency vehicles.

It comes after a spate of assaults on gardaí in recent months – the most recent of which saw a garda injured in an incident in Ballyfermot last week.

Minister Harris is due to hold talks with the Garda Representative Association (GRA) on the issue later today.

GRA President Brendan O’Connor told Newstalk he will also use the meeting to call for a special task force to deal with violence against gardaí.

“Health and safety and working conditions are quite complex so the different departments need an input,” he said.

“The now-Tánaiste made a reference to a task force in light of the recent attacks so we want to explore that and get a task force up and running with a seat at the table for ourselves.”

The group - which represents rank and file gardaí – is warning that the increased danger of the job is adding to the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis.

At just over 14,500, there are over 400 less gardaí now, compared to two years ago.