Results 6,401-6,420 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: I am not sure if the acting Garda Commissioner wishes to comment.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: The decision to establish an independent policing authority is vitally important. I note the use of the word "independent" in the title of the new authority. When the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission was being established an issue arose as to who would make the appointments. An independent panel was appointed and having met the joint committee, which gave them a fair wind, its...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: I am referring to a policing authority.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: I thank all the witnesses for attending what has been a long session. I appreciate that Baroness O'Loan has taken time to travel from Northern Ireland. I also thank Mr. Brady, the Acting Garda Commissioner and her team.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: The purpose of this part of the meeting is to have a discussion with Mr. Brian Purcell, Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality, regarding the findings made in chapter 19 of the Guerin report. It may also include matters referred to in chapters 1, 20 and 23 of that report. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Purcell and his colleagues. The format of the meeting...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: I thank Mr. Purcell for his presentation. Several issues arise from it and from his correspondence with the committee. As he is aware, the committee wrote to the Government at the time requesting that, among other things, the circumstances leading to the retirement of the former Garda Commissioner be referred to the Fennelly commission. The committee reserved its right to revisit these...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: I thank Mr. Purcell. Our advice is that the commission of investigation rules do not preclude the committee from looking at any of these matters, nor do they apply to this committee. We received this advice today in advance of the meeting. There are numerous ongoing investigations into the Department of Justice and Equality. We have seen the retirement of a Garda Commissioner, the...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: Deputy McGrath, I ask you to desist. That is not a point of order. Let us continue.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: I know that. We accept your point. I have already asked-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: I invited the Secretary General to make a presentation on that particular issue.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: I will ask some further questions, if I may. Section 40 of the Act states: "The Garda Commissioner shall account fully to the Government and the Minister through the Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for any aspect of his or her functions." Will Mr. Purcell indicate how this operates in practice?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: What form does such communication usually take? Is it done in writing, by e-mail or by word of mouth?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: So the Commissioner can visit the Secretary General in his office. What happens out of hours when all offices are closed, when an emergency arises and when the Commissioner must communicate something of urgent importance to the Secretary General?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: Would there be instances when the Secretary General and the Commissioner would be obliged to meet personally, particularly if the emergency was sufficiently serious?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: Have such instances occurred in the recent past?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: Yes, out of hours.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: Where would such meetings typically take place when offices are closed?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: Such as in the Department.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: Is it usual for such meetings to take place in the home of the Garda Commissioner?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Guerin Report: Department of Justice and Equality (28 May 2014)
David Stanton: It is, yes.