Results 3,001-3,020 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

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 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 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: 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...

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]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Commissioner and his colleagues for coming. I note that they have had a lengthy day. They were before the Policing Authority earlier. I will raise a couple of issues with them. Many people were concerned and upset when the story of retired Garda Majella Moynihan broke. I commend the Commissioner on meeting her. I will not ask him for the details of his private meeting with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: When I visited the Garda College in Templemore recently, I was very impressed. I had not been there before. Is the Commissioner satisfied with the quality of recruits coming into An Garda Síochána? What are his views on that matter?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: We have had outbreaks of serious criminal activity in a number of provincial towns recently. How is An Garda Síochána responding to the increased criminal activity in Drogheda and Longford? Does the Commissioner think the Garda response is succeeding?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does the Commissioner believe there is greater visibility of An Garda Síochána in towns like Drogheda and Longford to deal with criminal activity now?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The drug trade is causing much of the crime in those areas. How big a problem does the Commissioner consider illegal drug-taking and drug-dealing to be? He mentioned that other Government agencies could support the Garda in its efforts to deal with societal problems. What other agencies of State could help it to deal with the societal problem of drugs? What would he like them to do?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Are people who take cocaine are sufficiently informed about the link between their drug use and the violence it creates in other parts of the country?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Reform and Related Issues: Discussion (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: If we have a hard Brexit and there are two customs regimes on this island - I am not asking the Commissioner to say whether this will happen because none of us knows - what resources will be required by An Garda Síochána if it receives a direction to police the Border?

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 by increasing the maximum sentence that can be imposed for the possession of a knife to cause injury to, incapacitate or intimidate any person. I seek leave to introduce legislation entitled the Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2019. The purpose of the...