Results 541-560 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The protection of a member of the Garda should be an integral part of any Bill relating to the Garda Síochána.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The Cathaoirleach has disallowed amendment No. 12 which I tabled.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: On a point of order, why was my amendment disallowed?

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: There is no explanation being given on why it is out of order. As my colleague has stated and as I tried to state, surely the protection of a member of the Garda Síochána should be part of any Garda Síochána Bill.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The protection of gardaí is a fundamental part of the legislation. It should be part of a Garda Síochána Bill.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: We are trying to have it included in a Bill.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I am surprised that something as fundamental as the protection of human rights is not deemed sufficiently important to be the function of the Garda Síochána. The issue was raised by the Human Rights Commission. Will the Minister explain why this provision has not been included in the Bill? I ask him to accept the amendment.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The protection of human rights should be a function of the Garda Síochána, rather than merely a consideration as is currently the case. Some time ago the Minister described advocates of human rights as part of the human rights industry. Will he expand on this comment? I hope it has nothing to do with his refusal to accept the amendment.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I agree with Senator Walsh that the human rights of victims are often forgotten. Tilting the system in favour of criminals rather than victims is not on my agenda. While I accept that a balance must be reached on matters such as this and that human rights are covered in other sections, I tabled my amendment in the belief that the protection of human rights should be part of the functions of...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 6: In page 11, subsection (4), line 30, after "rights" to insert "and ensuring fair and equal treatment and respect for all". This amendment repeats what the Minister has already stated. We expect gardaí to ensure fair and equal treatment for all. It probably goes without saying, but it must be spelt out in legislation as fundamental as this.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I agree with the Minister, but it should probably also be in this section of the Bill.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: It should be included if any consistency is to be maintained.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I hoped the Minister would accept the amendment since it was stated in another section of the Bill. However, we can return to the issue if the Minister will not accept it now.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: On a point of information, is section 8 the appropriate section in which to introduce measures for the protection of Garda members and to send a message to that effect? Mandatory sentences should be introduced for the manslaughter and murder of a garda and no remission of sentence should be allowed.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: While I accept the Chair's ruling on my amendment on this issue, the protection of members of the Garda should be addressed in some section of the Bill. Is this the appropriate section in which to provide for that protection? The message we send on Garda protection is very important in the context of plans to recruit officers. We must send a strong message that the Legislature will not accept...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: It is a sad reflection on the House that we are not prepared to provide gardaí with the protection they need. We are sending the wrong message in ruling the amendment out of order.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 15: In page 15, before section 13, to insert the following new section: "13.—The Commissioner, in consultation with the Minister shall establish guidelines and structures so as to encourage members of police forces outside the jurisdiction to— (a) apply to become permanent members of the Garda Síochána .". (b) apply for secondment to the Garda Síochána.". I am...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I believe we are pushing an open door with the Minister because I heard him recently talking about what the Garda Síochána should be and how inclusive it should be, etc. Therefore, I hope he takes these remarks on board. The amendment may be too confining by mentioning only RAPID areas. There are many disadvantaged areas in my city that are not included under RAPID. While we may be a little...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: That is what the Minister has advocated, and rightly so.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: If the House wishes, we are prepared to take amendments Nos. 18, 19 and 20 together.