Results 24,521-24,540 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: -----that the Taoiseach is considering that letter. That is a proper and appropriate response. Second, the Deputy has now waved another blizzard of paper. One would think one was in a snowstorm the way he is producing paper at this point.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: The Deputy has produced more paper and said that he made it available this morning. I have not received it. I take the Deputy sufficiently seriously that I will do him the courtesy of reading the material when I receive it and have the opportunity to do so. I wish to say to the other Members of the House that if there is more information or material, it is extraordinarily important to...
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: Obviously, the Deputy failed to notice that yesterday the Government established an independent inquiry under one of the most highly regarded retired judges in the country, with the terms of reference drawn up by the Government on the advice of the Attorney General.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: If the Deputy is interested, as he claims, in having a functioning Garda Síochána which protects the security and the people of the State and which is, importantly, overseen by an ombudsman commission that can carry out its job, the Government has just commissioned such an independent inquiry to be carried out. If the Deputy wishes to rubbish the establishment of an independent...
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: -----and the Deputy should show some concern that the Garda Síochána should be fully supported in the State and, second, that the Garda Síochána should be properly overseen by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. That is precisely what the Government has set out to do, having given an independent power of inquiry to one of the most respected retired judges...
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: This is not about politicking but about the Garda Síochána commanding the respect and support of every citizen and party. It is also about having a proper oversight commission for the Garda. That is what we set out to do. Last night the Minister for Justice and Equality addressed the committee for about four hours.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: The Opposition, including Sinn Féin, now seems to have a problem with the Taoiseach taking time to have a look at documents.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: That is the correct response.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: I do not want to suggest one would make a political football out of something as important as the Garda Síochána and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, but an important and appropriate mechanism has been established and it is to report back within a relatively short period. That is the proper way to do it.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: That is an extremely confused contribution. To start with-----
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: Deputy Pearse Doherty has thrown out a whole series of events and happenings over a protracted period and at the end of asked for a commission of inquiry. In case he missed the news yesterday, I draw his attention to the announcement that the Government has appointed a High Court judge, Mr. John Cooke, to conduct-----
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: The Government has appointed Mr. Cooke to conduct an independent inquiry, the terms of reference for which were agreed to by the Government on the advice of the Attorney General. The judge was consulted on the terms of reference and has agreed to them.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: Hold on, please.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: In terms of the Dáil and Opposition parties, there is a level of common agreement across the House on what we want-----
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: We want the Garda Síochána to carry out its duties-----
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: -----in protecting the people of the State and to enjoy the confidence of the public. I know that view is not shared by everybody in the House.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: That is a priority in any democracy.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: Second, independent oversight by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is absolutely important. The matters to which Deputy Pearse Doherty referred - he was making comments about transcripts in the public media and discussions various people had had-----
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: -----in terms of all of the material and documentation available and the power of the retired judge to hear evidence and call and speak to those involved, are all covered by what he has laid out.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2014)
Joan Burton: Why then does Sinn Féin want another independent inquiry?