Results 2,601-2,620 of 4,153 for speaker:Martin Kenny

Accommodation Needs of Those Fleeing Ukraine: Statements (5 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: I also commend the Department on the work it has done. I have dealt with staff in the Department since the beginning of this crisis and have found them to be really helpful and sensible about these situations. In my county, Leitrim, we have a hotel, Lough Allen Hotel, in Drumshanbo, which has been closed for a number of years, since Covid, and is now open and has more than 200 Ukrainian...

Europe Day: Statements (10 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: Sinn Féin believes in and supports the European Union and the prospect of peace, prosperity and unity for all its people. That is at the core of what Europe is about. All of those things come with challenges. When we think of prosperity, which is the promise of Europe, it has been delivered for many people on this island and in other parts of Europe but we cannot ignore that we have...

Journalists in Conflicts across the World: Statements (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: It is vital that we are here to speak about the issue of journalists in conflict zones throughout the world. The recent shooting in the face of a woman journalist in Palestine, Shireen Abu Akleh, has focused our attention on the danger that a great many journalists and others face while being a voice for the voiceless and often exposing the terrible atrocities that happen in many parts of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: 1. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the life sentencing guidelines. [26525/22]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: The first question relates to sentencing guidelines and particularly the matter of life sentences. On page 15 of the Justice Plan 2022, it is indicated the Minister will make proposals to bring changes to law relating to life sentences. I would like an update in respect of that.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: I was looking at this recently and the issue in particular relates to the especially heinous murders we know of, many of which have made headlines over many years. There are serious cases and in the past we have seen people getting life sentences but being released after 12 years. It is not that terribly long ago since it was after even less time. It certainly did not equate to life and in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: I appreciate that and we are on the same page in respect of this. We remember the Joe O'Reilly case and vicious murder of his wife Rachel. He received a life sentence and he has already been granted access to the parole board. He applied for temporary release in 2021 having served just over 15 years. There are many cases like this. There are particularly difficult cases, such as that of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: 3. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on the engagement that her Department has had with the National Rural Safety Forum. [26526/22]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: I would like to get an indication from the Minister of State on the engagement the Department has had with the National Rural Safety Forum and the work that stems from it. Have there been any initiatives or progress following the meeting of the forum? The last time we raised the issue of rural crime in the House, Tom Niland from County Sligo was in a coma. I am glad to report that he has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: I welcome this initiative and the work that has been done, as well as the collaboration with so many rural organisations that represent people in rural communities. At the core of this issue, as I said as the outset, is the fear many people who live in isolated areas have. When they go to a Garda station to get a form signed, they cannot find a garda. It gives them little confidence that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: I am aware of much of that work. I know the aspect of deterrence is important. There are strong sentences in place, but the biggest deterrent of all is having gardaí in a local area where people know them and can see them, and that any stranger coming through the area will see their presence. Many communities have had to organise initiatives themselves. There have been huge...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Judicial Appointments (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: I will support Deputy Lawless on that. In the past couple of weeks, I have spoken to many people in the legal profession. The consistent problem they kept bringing up, both in civil and criminal cases, was the long delays because of the absence of judges. One of the issues that was raised with me was how courts moving away from the small provincial towns to larger courts in different areas...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: 11. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when she plans to publish the implementation plan for the Garda Síochána Inspectorate report on corruption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26067/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: I will ask the Minister about the plans she has to publish the implementation plan for the Garda Síochána Inspectorate report on corruption. I understand that some progress is being made on this but we need to see delivery in this area, as soon as possible.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: Many key findings of the report point to there being no strategic analysis of the risk of corruption or the dangers of corruption that may exist in many aspects of An Garda Síochána's work. Like many parts of our public service, the gardaí's work is based on trust. We have to trust that the person in the organisation will deliver and is doing the best for everyone concerned....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: I appreciate there has been work and advancement. One area which requires focus is gardaí carrying out work outside of their work as a garda. Sometimes that has compromised them and others around them. The work that they often engage in after retiring from An Garda Síochána also needs to be looked at. There is a network that has developed over the years that certainly needs...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: 14. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current status of the report of the high-level group considering the role of An Garda Síochána in the prosecution system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26065/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: I want to find out the current status of the report on the high-level group considering the role of An Garda Síochána in the prosecution system and would like the Minister to make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: It is going to be a busy couple of weeks. I am aware of the work done on this. It needs to be considered very carefully because it is quite unusual that the investigating authority or service is also the prosecuting service. That is the case regarding many aspects of what An Garda Síochána does. Other jurisdictions have a different system that has served them better. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Martin Kenny: Will the report cover the oversight of investigations? In most other jurisdictions, there is some form of judicial oversight, particularly regarding serious crime, to ensure that everything is done correctly and properly. There is a barrister or other individual in charge of the investigation to ensure everything is done as it should be. That majority of Garda investigations, even the most...