Results 41-60 of 11,995 for speaker:Niall Collins

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: -----have an absolutely right go about their business and use the public roads to get on with their business, get home to their families, do their day-to-day activities, get to work, get home, rear their children and bring their kids to their clubs and their sports. The Deputy, though, seems to think that locking down Dublin is acceptable.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: No, it is not. People are absolutely entitled to protest. Nobody disputes that. The Deputy, though, wants to elevate it and bring it to a place where it actually discredits what they are protesting for, and that is regrettable.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Prevention (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: Again, I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very serious issue. I acknowledge that the incident in question was very serious for the person and family on whose behalf he is raising this matter. Combating and eradicating sexual and gender-based violence is one of our core priorities. The programme for Government reaffirms our commitment to introducing stronger laws to combat the spiking...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Prevention (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, I thank Deputy McGrath for submitting this Topical Issue and acknowledge the concerns raised in relation to the very serious issue of drink spiking. Spiking is a crime that preys on vulnerability, that undermines consent and that can have devastating consequences for victims. The Government is committed to taking a zero-tolerance approach to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: I would like to make the point to the Deputy that we are in the process of establishing local community safety partnerships throughout the country. That is a step up or ramping up of the former joint policing committees. I know the Deputy is aware that 36 community safety partnerships will be stood up. They are in the process. Some are up and running and some have had their first meeting....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for the question. We are well aware of the misery and distress the use of illegal fireworks can cause around this time of year. We also hear and see enough to know that they pose a real risk to the health and safety of young people and to the elderly and vulnerable. They also terrify family pets, service dogs and other animals. Our Department runs an annual awareness...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: I accept what the Deputy said about the season starting earlier and earlier each year, which is regrettable. That is true of the community in which I live, which is a rural part of Limerick. Some elderly neighbours were very put out by it. Under Operation Tombola, the Garda has carried out 1,218 fireworks seizures to an estimated value of €225,000. These seizures have...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Community Safety Partnerships (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. To create safe communities, we must go beyond policing alone, we must work together in partnership. We must take a strategic, solution-focused approach that is proactive rather than reactive. Local community safety partnerships represent a significant step towards a more collaborative, responsive, and locally driven model of public safety. I am...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Community Safety Partnerships (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: I join the Senator in acknowledging the appointment of Superintendent Michael Corbett as An Garda Síochána's first rural crime lead. I spoke to him recently at the National Ploughing Championships when we launched our new rural safety strategy. I sit on the national rural safety forum and have attended its meetings. It is fantastic in respect of our approach to ensuring our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: I thank Senator Stephenson for raising this matter. I am replying on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the implementation of the zero-tolerance strategy and to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to supporting and protecting victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Since January 2024, Cuan has been...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: It is important to reflect not only on the commitments made but also on what has been delivered under the zero-tolerance strategy. The promise of safe accommodation is becoming a reality. The new refuge in Wexford and the refuge in Dublin 4 symbolise that progress. The pipeline of new refuge spaces and safe homes will continue to grow, moving us steadily towards our target of doubling...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: The Government's position on vigilante behaviour is simple, there is no place in our society for vigilantism. It cannot and will not be accepted. Individuals or groups who engage in intimidation, assaults or threats, or who purport to take the law into their own hands, will face the full rigour of the law. Intimidation, assaults, and threats have no place in our society. An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Services (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: Under the Programme for Government and the Youth Justice Strategy, I am committed to improving outcomes for young people at risk of a life of criminality through investment in youth justice services. Youth Justice interventions are about recognising that many young people who stray from the proper path need support and direction to turn their lives around. We can make a lasting difference to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (9 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, it has not been possible to compile the information in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is available.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: This record justice budget of over €6 billion reflects our strong commitment to build safe and secure communities. Youth justice has a crucial role to play in this. The significant increase of €7.3 million in youth justice funding which I have secured is a 22% increase and enables us to achieve comprehensive nationwide coverage of our network of youth diversion projects for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (8 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: 203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when it is expected that the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016 will be updated in order to facilitate a person (details supplied) who has achieved a portion of their qualifications/work experience overseas to apply to have said qualification/work experience recognised in Ireland, this being a crucial action to assist with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (7 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: 229. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); if she will have this matter examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53732/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Services (7 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to improving outcomes for young people at risk of a life of criminality through investment in evidence-based youth justice services. Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are community-based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives, which seek to divert young people who have become involved in crime or antisocial behaviour and to support...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Correspondence (7 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: 497. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53713/25]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Appointments Service (2 Oct 2025)

Niall Collins: 276. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Public Appointments Service will launch an Irish-language higher executive officer in the civil service competition in quarter 4 of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52822/25]