Results 21-40 of 44 for garda speaker:Frances Black

Seanad: Violence Against Women: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Frances Black: ...about societal change but it is better that a tragedy brings about a positive change for the greater good and there is no doubt about that. I want to mention a few figures released this week by An Garda Síochána. I am sure the Minister is aware of them but I want them on the record. The Garda responded to 48,400 incidents of domestic abuse in the past year alone. This is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (3 Feb 2022)

Frances Black: ...to Grace, and what was allowed to happen to Grace and other young people who suffered abuse in the same foster home, is shameful. The fact that the DPP did not follow the recommendations of the Garda is scandalous, as is the fact that we do not know why that happened. It is, however, good to hear that Grace is receiving support now. It is also good to hear about the new governance...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Frances Black: The Government amendment proposes increasing the maximum penalty for assaults on peace officers, that is, members of An Garda Síochána, prison officers and members of the Defence Forces. As with the extension of the penalties available in respect of conspiracy to murder, we are concerned about the effectiveness of increased maximum penalties for assaults against police officers....

Seanad: Order of Business (17 May 2017)

Frances Black: I express sadness on the death of the late journalist, Dara Quigley, who took her life on 12 April, five days after she had been detained by gardaí under the Mental Health Act. We all know that a Garda video of her detention was posted on Facebook shortly before Ms Quigley's death. Her family recently said their distress had been compounded by the publication of her name on many...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: ...is healthcare and no one has the right to interfere with another person's medical care. The right to access medical care freely and without fear must be vindicated by the law and enforced by the Garda. It is as simple as that. We also must ensure that all hospital staff are protected and allowed to do their jobs without interference or intimidation. Since the passage of the 2018 Act,...

Seanad: Proposal for a Directive on Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence: Motion (22 Jun 2022)

Frances Black: .... It is so important there is now an offence that captures the continuous and multifaceted oppression that characterises abusive relationships. The roll-out of domestic violence training for some gardaí has meant some victims receive much more support throughout their complaint process and this is no doubt welcomed. However, the level of support victims can expect is still...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2017)

Frances Black: I wish to raise an issue that I discussed on 7 March when we debated the Grace case. I asked how many similar cases there were and whether there were other cases in which the HSE, Tusla or the Garda had been made aware of sexual or physical abuse allegations against a foster parent but the child had not been removed from the home. It is important that we know that no other children are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Online Harassment and Harmful Communications: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Frances Black: ...committee next week. What does Professor Carthy think they will say about this? What will be their protests? He mentioned that they will protest against it so what will they say? I hear what An Garda Síochána is saying but at the end of the day, it is like road safety. What will the companies protest about? What are their arguments against it?

Seanad: Adult Safeguarding Bill: Second Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Frances Black: ...and to ensure any large cash withdrawals for this type of work are replaced by bank drafts payable to the contractor. With all the questions that have recently come to light about the integrity of the Garda Síochána and its inaccurate reporting of issues, I think it is necessary to examine the practice of Garda questioning of vulnerable adults. The appointment of an independent...

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2023: Committee Stage (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: ...likelihood that the item may be transported to a relevant occupied territory. It also makes clear that an attempt to do so is an offence under this Bill and the provision applies to both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána. Amendment No. 12 inserts a new section 29 in the Bill that would provide that authorisation shall not be granted to a person or organisation to transit...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2016)

Frances Black: ...contain physical and management standards which hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation providers should be obliged to meet to ensure the protection of children. The standards required include Garda vetting of hotel staff, access to safe areas to play, access to drinking water and a minimum threshold for physical and management standards. It is simply not good enough that such...

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2023: Committee Stage (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: ...automated means." Subsection 2 of the amendment provides that any person attempting to transit such items would be "guilty of an offence" and subsection 3 provides that subsection 1 applies to both "the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána." Amendment No. 11 inserts a new section 28 into the Bill, which would provide that "authorisation shall not be granted to a person or...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Black: ...as well as the court in Newry. He continuously re-offended and breached his bail conditions. From reading the files on this case, there appear to be irregularities in the interactions between gardaí and the accused. The O'Farrell family believes that there were multiple failures on the part of An Garda Síochána before and after Shane's death and questions decisions made...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2017)

Frances Black: ...will be widened to include the other 46 service users who spent time in the foster home in question. How many similar cases are there? Are there other cases where the HSE, Tusla or the Garda were made aware of sexual or physical abuse allegations against a foster parent and the child was not removed from the foster home? It is important that we know that no other children are living in...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 May 2017)

Frances Black: ...very damaging effect on children. Society's failure to address alcohol is a fundamental issue and places insurmountable problems on the child-protection system. It is not just about Tusla or the Garda; it is about society and our ambivalence to alcohol and substance misuse. Sadly, this is no surprise to me as I have worked with people suffering from alcohol abuse and addiction for many...

Seanad: Local Government (Use of CCTV in Prosecution of Offences) Bill 2021: Second Stage (5 Mar 2021)

Frances Black: ...areas with the introduction of a Bill such as this one. While I believe the intentions of this Bill are positive, most of the issues it aims to tackle are covered by existing legislation. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 allows for CCTV to be erected and operated on authorisation from the Garda Commissioner for the purposes of "facilitating the deterrence, prevention, detection and...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Frances Black: ...difficult to prove in many instances. What is most concerning is the potential negative impact that this could invariably have on victims of stalking and harassment. The timely reporting of stalking to An Garda Síochána could be negatively affected where victims may feel that they cannot prove the harm that has been caused to them, which risks their being subjected to further...

Seanad: Report on Use of Section 12 of Child Care Act by An Garda Síochána: Statements (31 May 2017)

Frances Black: ...effect on children. The failure by society to address alcohol is a fundamental problem and places insurmountable problems on the child protection system. It is not just about Tusla or the Garda; it is about society and our ambivalence to alcohol and substance misuse. I totally agree with Dr. Shannon. Sadly, it is no real surprise to me, given my own background in working with people...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Discussion (13 Nov 2019)

Frances Black: ...in this. On improvements, the point made by Ms Counihan and the RCNI on when legal advice is needed is crucial. I fully agree that people need this information and support before they contact An Garda Síochána or they might not make that call at all. This is something we should consider for the Bill. The Law Society presentation also sets out just how ad hoc and piecemeal the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Feb 2023)

Frances Black: ...on a homeless encampment illustrates the clear and present danger posed by violent racists. There were public threats seen by thousands of people on social media before the attack, so why did the Garda fail to take action to prevent it? That is the question I would like to ask. This is very concerning. Measures need to be taken to safeguard those at risk. We must be proactive about...