Results 7,301-7,320 of 10,321 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2019: First Stage (27 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Election of Temporary Chairman (27 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I nominate Deputy Colm Brophy to be our Chairman for today.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 39. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the actions which will be taken to address the use of social media and technology in the cocaine trade, and the increase in cocaine use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26869/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Earlier this month, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction published a report that was quite worrying for this country. It recorded that the use of cocaine and crack cocaine is increasing faster in Ireland than in most European countries, and that cocaine has become purer and more plentiful due to what is referred to as the "Uberisation" of the trade. What is the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is worth reading the report produced by this European centre closely. They examined 30 European countries and recorded that more people in Ireland had used cocaine in the past 12 months than in any other country apart from the United Kingdom and Spain. That is a worrying development. The report also indicates that the trade in cocaine has changed and has become, in a way, similar to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree with the Minister. The Government and society needs to provide more information to the public about the link between cocaine use and criminal activity. We see how people respond to information when it is given to them. Many people now realise the risks associated with the use of plastic and, because of that, they are changing their practices. They recognise that there is a threat...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Data (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Minister will agree it is essential that we get accurate information in respect of reported crime and the recording of crime. Without it, we cannot formulate proper policy responses. The Minister mentioned the crime statistics for the first quarter of 2019. In many respects, they reveal the point I wish to make. For example, the increase of 10% in sexual offences is a matter about...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Data (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The State is improving in terms of how it deals with people who report sexual offences. Many people who report them are very satisfied with the response they get from An Garda Síochána. However, the point I was making was slightly different. For instance, on knife crime, we know that some 2,000 knives were seized in 2018, compared with 1,600 in 2017, but we do not know the extent...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Data (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 36. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the ongoing work of the Central Statistics Office on crime statistics; the actions taken by him to ensure trends in crime are identified and that appropriate policy responses are formulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26868/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Data (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: We spend a lot of time in this House talking about criminal justice responses to crime. The Minister will agree with me that in order to come forward with proper responses to criminal activity, we need to have accurate information and evidence. To a large extent, we are dependent on the Central Statistics Office to provide crime statistics. It recently produced details of criminal activity...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 33. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the response to an ongoing feud in County Longford; the Garda response to date; if he is satisfied that the required resources are in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27153/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have raised previously with the Minister the matter of ongoing criminal activity in towns such as Drogheda. Unfortunately, today I have to refer to what is happening in Longford where there has been serious criminal activity between two gangs in the past 12 months. I ask the Minister for an update on what is being done to give confidence to people in Longford that the State is taking this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is disappointing that once again we have to debate serious criminal activity in a provincial town that receives national coverage and has a significant impact on the lives of people in the town. It is, unfortunately, a product of the drugs industry and the fact that gangs that emanate from Dublin and that have spread into provincial Ireland are making substantial amounts of money from...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I note what the Minister has said, but, unfortunately, it seems to be the case that when an issue arises in a provincial town, it receives coverage, that there is a political response and, as a result, a political reaction, whereby An Garda Síochána puts more resources on the street. We need to put more resources into towns which are vulnerable such as Longford and Drogheda. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Internet Pornography (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 31. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views regarding an increased role for the Irish Film Classification Office in the monitoring of the availability of pornography to children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26867/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Internet Pornography (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The terrible murder of Ana Kriégel and the recent conviction of two boys for murder has raised many issues of concern for the public, which issues we, as policymakers, should be taking into account. One such concern is the prevalence of online pornography, which is available to young people. The purpose of this question is to elicit from the Minister whether the Government or he intend...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Internet Pornography (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister. The Government needs to give consideration to expanding the role of IFCO. I have mentioned previously in this House that the current generation of young people are being exposed to pornography, the likes of which has not been seen previously. Young men in particular are learning about sexuality from very violent pornography online, which presents women in a very...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Internet Pornography (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government should examine the British legislation, which expressly provides for the establishment of an age verification regulator. The responsibility of the regulator is to ensure that children are not exposed to online pornography. We need also to place more of a responsibility on the social media, large technology companies, that are making huge profits. We need to try to set up a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 63. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to reform the family law system; the status of the development of family law centres and the Children Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26870/19]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cyberbullying Issues (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 65. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views regarding an enhanced role for a service (details supplied) in combating serious online harassment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26866/19]