Results 4,041-4,060 of 6,384 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: While I recognise the points about technology, my experience from talking to the community is that they want visibility. They want to see patrols, bicycle patrols and all of that. That needs gardaí and we need to be more ambitious in the numbers of gardaí. To move on to another issue, a case collapsed on 26 March that was taken against a Garda civilian employee, Lynn Margiotta,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Is the Commissioner's position that he cannot make any specific comment on the case? Unfortunately, the investigation could take three or four years.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Very well. I hope that progresses as quickly as possible. If the reports are accurate, I hope the Commissioner will meet Ms Margiotta after the process is complete to hear the outcome of it. On GSOC, the Commissioner recently announced his intention to establish an anti-corruption unit. That is welcome. At that stage, the question was put to the Commissioner by my colleague, Deputy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: As I said, it is great but it seems there is a similarity to elements of GSOC.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I am not saying there is a conflict either. Surely there are areas of potential interest in the middle where an investigation might be more appropriate through GSOC. Would it not be worth having a chat with GSOC to see how this initiative relates to what it does and how the two bodies can co-operate? That is all I am asking.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Commissioner is misunderstanding me. Really I am not being critical. I just think there would be value in the exercise. In response to a recent parliamentary question, the Minister for Justice and Equality confirmed protective services units have been established in ten Garda divisions, with 19 to go. I would have said this is a bit behind schedule. The pilot phase included the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: To follow on from this, do the ten units established to date have the full personnel complement? What is the status of their accommodation? Are they fully equipped with office space? Can we be confident the remaining units will have full staff complements and the necessary accommodation by the end of the year or early next year?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: It is an important initiative and I hope it leads to ongoing professionalisation in dealing with crime. At the first committee meeting he attended, the Commissioner said the number of gardaí who had signed up to the code of ethics was approximately 40%. Where is that now? To return to the issue of crime, I had an exchange with the Minister for Justice and Equality today and I will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Commissioner is following what I am saying. I am not sure of the terminology for it. Some people made life decisions on the strength of it and are quite frustrated and are considering whether they can continue in that position.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: It is.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank the Commissioner.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (25 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 680. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the situation regarding the L2455 Lehenaghbeg-Lehenaghmore road; if the NTA has submitted its latest observations to the local authority regarding the design; the way in which he plans to expedite an urgently needed road; if funding will be forthcoming; and when he expects the road to be delivered....

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I welcome the Bill which I am aware is an interim measure as the Government intends, I hope, to bring forward much more fundamental legislation to regulate gambling. That is what is needed and what has been long promised. The gambling control Bill was drafted by then Minister, Alan Shatter, in 2013. The ongoing delay is very disappointing. Almost six years later, Private Members'...

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I am glad to hear that. The Minister of State might develop the point. When the Bill is eventually brought before the Oireachtas, we will have to remember that it will primarily be to prevent harmful gambling and regulate the many people who enjoy gambling safely. Many people gamble responsibly and there is no proposal to ban gambling. There are people involved in the gambling...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank the officials for appearing before us. This is a very important part of the committee's valuable engagement on this matter in recent weeks. I am sure the officials have been following our hearings. I reiterate my view that direct provision has lost the confidence of the residents and the Irish people. The committee's responsibility now is to formulate a proposal in our report that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I appreciate there is an obligation first and foremost to provide a bed but the rate of increase is exponential. It is terrifying. If that rate of increase continues, it is possible that we will have 800 or 900 people in emergency accommodation. As well as seeking to provide additional direct provision places, is the Department also advertising for emergency accommodation at this time?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Ms Buckley stated that the first time this issue arose was in August when, over two weekends, people were refused a bed. Was a case taken by X and Y against the Department relating to an application for accommodation in September last year?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: This case related to somebody who was seeking readmission to direct provision but was refused. Did the Department lose that case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I understand the reception regulations allow for the use of emergency accommodation but they specifies that this must be for short periods. Ms Buckley indicated that some people are prioritised, for example, children of school-going age, for accommodation in direct provision centres but that some applicants are in emergency accommodation for perhaps six to nine months. On that basis, is it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: It seems to me to be plausible that the Department is in breach of the regulation, rather than the directive. I know the Department will never admit that. Having people in emergency accommodation for six or nine months does not appear to be in keeping with the spirit or the letter of the regulations. Much has been hung on improvements, including the new standards. The Department has...