Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 13 October 2015

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Business of Select Committee

12:30 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Apologies have been received from Deputy Finian McGrath. I understand Deputy Wallace will attend in substitution for him. As we are in public session, I ask those present to turn off all mobile telephones as they cause interference, even on silent mode, with the recording equipment in the committee rooms.

I welcome the Minister of State and his official to the meeting. Before we begin, it is important to comment briefly on the recent events which resulted in the tragic death of a number of people. In particular, I wish to pay tribute to Garda Tony Golden who was killed in the line of duty while protecting another citizen. Garda Golden leaves behind a wife and young family and our thoughts and prayers must be with them at this most difficult time. His actions were selfless and brave. They are the actions that members of the Garda Síochána engage in every day on our behalf. I also wish Ms Siobhán Phillips, who is very ill in hospital, a speedy recovery from her injuries.

There was a further tragedy at Carrickmines, where a fire caused the deaths of so many innocent people. The entire nation was shocked and moved by this terrible tragedy. On behalf of the committee, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to all of those who have been bereaved and injured by these events.

Photo of Anne FerrisAnne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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I join the Chairman in offering condolences to the Garda Síochána on a terrible tragedy that happened around the same time as that which occurred at Carrickmines. Some of the people who unfortunately died at Carrickmines were from Bray in my constituency. The local community and the Bray Travellers development group are surrounding those they left behind with every bit of support that they can give. The wider community has come on board. It has been an awful weekend. I thank the Chairman for raising these events at the start of the meeting.

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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This is a Garda Bill and we undertook some work on the Traveller community earlier in the year. Our hearts go out to everyone involved in these terrible events.