Results 1-20 of 137 for garda speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Waterways Issues (21 May 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...three organisations are meeting in the coming days. Last week, in this House, I asked for a taskforce to be put in place. I have been in touch with Waterways Ireland separately as well as with An Garda Síochána and Kildare County Council. The Minister of State is right; a shared approach that ensures the blueway remains accessible and welcoming for all users is really...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 May 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...many houses are, and they are impacting on the nearby roads as well. In fact, the roads were blocked one evening last week. One of the local councillors, Daragh Fitzpatrick, came and had to call the Garda, who came quickly. Kfm did a feature this morning talking to the residents. What is going on is shocking. People are intimidated in their own homes. It is very dangerous. We need a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 May 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...Dock for the coffee morning. If anybody tuning in needs the helpline, it is 1800 341 341. Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet John Joe O'Connell, Mark O'Meara and Tara McManus from the Garda Representative Association. They were meeting and protesting outside Leinster House about the retirement scheme for post-2013 entrants. This is basically a new pension scheme that commenced...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I extend a welcome to the ambassador and the guests in the Gallery. I have tried to raise a Commencement matter relating to Garda matters for the second time. I accept that the Cathaoirleach has guidelines that he has to abide by but it is regrettable that we have a situation where we cannot have the Minister for Justice to come to the House to discuss, in any way, policy on policing in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am glad the Senator has raised such an important issue. Yesterday I spoke in the Seanad about the GRA conference and how extremely difficult issues cross the desk of a garda. I know we all appreciate that when a garda starts his or her shift, be it day or night, he or she never knows what will unfold. To paraphrase another phrase I used, who is going to protect the protectors? It is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...to rent from the private market. I ask that the House send a letter to the Minister. I have already written to him. This practice must be stopped. I want to quickly raise another issue. The Garda Representative Association, GRA, is holding its conference in Westport as we speak. The theme for the year is It's A Job Worth Doing. We all agree that policing is a job worth doing but, to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...to be cherished. I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I want to raise a number of issues today, the first of which is the new proposed community engagement areas for An Garda Síochána. I organised a meeting on Monday evening last, together with Councillor Anne Connolly, in Rathangan. Around 200 people turned up, which was incredible and showed the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...Castlebar, featured, as well as Longford. Newbridge, where I live, was identified as the safest town in Ireland. It is a great town to live in and it is great to see it recognised. I thank the Garda for keeping us safe. I wish to raise a few issues, mainly concerning different forms of transport, including on the water and also cycling. Cycle Right is the national standard for cycle...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...are served by our police force. I have just a few questions and comments. In terms of the capital plan, I take the point that the best resources are the people who are employed as members of An Garda Síochána. Yet, here I am assuming we are talking about buildings. Quite some time ago, two Garda stations were closed in Kildare in Ballitore and Ballymore Eustace. I would like...

Seanad: Sex Offenders (Amendment) (Coercive Control) Bill 2023: Second Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...register that will function in a similar manner to the sex offenders register. The legislation provides that a person convicted of the offence of coercive control is required to notify the Garda of their name and address and any change to those details to ensure the information recorded by An Garda Síochána is accurate and always up to date. This Bill, when enacted, will be...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...Business is No. 1, Screening of Third Country Transactions Bill 2022 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 3.30 p.m. and to adjourn at 4.55 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 2, Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 5 p.m. and to adjourn at 6.15 p.m., if not previously concluded.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...violence register that will function in a similar manner to the sex offenders register. The Bill provides that a person convicted of the offence of coercive control is required to notify the Garda of their name and address and any change to those details in order to ensure that the information recorded by An Garda Síochána is accurate and always up to date. This Bill will be...

Seanad: Sex Offenders (Amendment) (Coercive Control) Bill 2023: First Stage (4 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Sex Offenders Act 2001 to make provision for the requirement, in the interests of the common good, for the notification of information to An Garda Síochána, by persons who have committed the offence of coercive control and to provide for related matters. I appreciate the acceptance of my amendment by the Leader on the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Sep 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...in seizing the €100 million worth of cocaine yesterday evening. The Army Ranger Wing did a fantastic job and the crew of the LÉ William Butler Yeats, the Air Corps, the customs service and the Garda were also involved. It is a really important seizure and it highlights the important work the Defence Forces do in terms of the security of our country. In that context,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...impact drugs have on families and communities, and Newbridge is no different. In the recent past we have had a number of engagements with members of the community. I have been liaising with the Garda. Just two months ago, the Garda set up a Kildare South drugs unit. It has made significant seizures and arrests in the Newbridge area. Yesterday, it seized €1.2 million worth of...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (13 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...that is fit for purpose. Ireland is basically the only country in the western world that does not have hate crime legislation at the moment. Hate crimes increased by 29% in 2022 according to the Garda. There is no doubt but that legislation alone will not tackle the scourge of extreme views or hate that are out there. It needs to be part of a wider response with education and with...

Seanad: 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement: Motion (30 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...was for the greater good. A moment I cherish and that I know so many people on the island of Ireland cherish occurred at the opening ceremony - which the Tánaiste attended - in Croke Park, when we saw the PSNI and Garda come in with the flame of hope that came in from Bangor. That moment crystallised something special in so many minds, hearts and souls; that we can work together and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...raised the issue in Cluain Fhionnain in Killarney and disability services there. What he described sounds appalling. He said there are three unpublished reports, which is concerning, and asked for a Garda investigation into the situation. My understanding is that in calling for that the Senator has to go to the gardaí. We are concerned about this and will certainly raise the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...Defence Forces. The establishment of a statutory inquiry and an external oversight body, as well as changing the legislation to ensure that offences within the Defence Forces can be reported to the Garda, are very important. Work on cultural change and restoring confidence must start now. I wish all those who will be involved in a commissioning ceremony at Collins Barracks this...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Mar 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Treatment of Persons in Custody in An Garda Síochána Stations) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the orders of reference of the Joint Committee on Autism - extension of reporting deadline, to be taken on the...