Results 6,301-6,320 of 9,159 for speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I accept that. GSOC then contacted its sister organisation in Britain, which it is perfectly entitled to do. I know that the Ombudsman in Ireland, whether that was Emily O’Reilly, or now, Peter Tyndall, co-operates with her or his European counterparts regularly. GSOC sought advice on a high-quality security consultancy, one of the best international standard, as I think Mr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Mr. FitzGerald has talked about the government-level technology. That is of concern to many citizens. We follow the reports of surveillance and monitoring of citizens and recently there have been many revelations and whistleblowers emerging internationally, so people are beyond being shocked. Is it Mr. FitzGerald’s opinion that the issues identified by the security consultancy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I will conclude with this. It is being said, and Mr. FitzGerald identified this last night, that because GSOC was pursuing an investigation - which it is its job to do, courageously, without fear or favour, to pursue every issue - that had very serious ramifications for people at a higher level in An Garda Síochána, it had therefore put itself in the way of surveillance and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Thank you.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Yes of course it is.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Was this in connection with the public interest investigation? When that was completed a file was submitted to the DPP. Is that what Senator O’Keeffe wants clarified?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Before the Deputy continues would he please switch off his phone entirely?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Deputy should not keep going. The interference is continuing and it will impact on people's ability to hear the Deputy's question. There is still interference and somebody's phone is not switched off. Mobile phones should be switched off entirely and not just in silent mode.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: When the GSOC chairman responds, the Deputy's time will have elapsed. Does she have one more short question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I think Mr. O'Brien has responded definitively to the last question, but he may wish to take the option to do so again.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The commissioners came before us last July in respect of their concerns about co-operation with GSOC investigations by senior management of the Garda Síochána. Protocols have been in place since. I am particularly interested in the public interest investigation conducted by GSOC. Am I correct that it is a public interest investigation, without naming individuals, into reports...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: With regard to that investigation, one of the issues investigated by GSOC led to it reporting that it had profound difficulties for a number of years in getting co-operation from senior management in the Garda Síochána in that investigation. Will Mr. FitzGerald take us through some of the difficulties in respect of time limits and getting documentation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Mr. FitzGerald appeared on "Prime Time" on RTE and there were a number of issues about the handling of informers in terms of the Morris tribunal that had not been learned. The issue of the Morris tribunal was central in respect of the handling of informers and the retention of contemporaneous notes. GSOC stated it had grave concerns the lessons had not been learned from the Morris tribunal....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: We will take those questions first and I will let the Deputy back in again. They are fairly straightforward questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: That is noted and I thank Ms Foley.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Deputy can ask one additional question. His time has elapsed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Before I call Deputy Harrington to ask what will be his last question, because the time has elapsed, I want to say that the three commissioners can respond; it is not expected that the chairman should do so. It is fine for whoever is the most appropriate to deal with the question to respond. I want to reassure the witnesses on that. I understand Deputy Harrington has four minutes...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The next speaker is Deputy Michael Kitt.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: No problem.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Deputy should note that whenever the chairman concludes his response, his time will be up. Does he wish to ask one more question?