Results 761-780 of 7,652 for speaker:Joanna Tuffy

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

Joanna Tuffy: I support the idea behind this amendment, although it is too particular in identifying an area. I support the idea that recruitment should be as broad as possible and that the force should be representative. Recently the Minister proposed an amendment with regard to the recruitment age, which I welcome. He could have gone even further. I do not see why people cannot apply at an even later...

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

Joanna Tuffy: If the Minister is looking at a strategy in this area, expectations must be a big factor. If he were to compare the Defence Forces to the Garda, I am sure he would find a different level of representation in different types of community. One must ask why that is so. It is similar in the case of a college. It is a kind of quota that Senator Brian Hayes is suggesting and I can see why a quota...

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

Joanna Tuffy: I do not have a problem with the idea behind this proposal but I have some concerns about the wording. The Minister mentioned the Army reserve force but that is a very different type of organisation. I am concerned about the use of the word "volunteer" because it might be restrictive in this section. Senator Jim Walsh referred to the need to examine best practice in other jurisdictions. The...

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

Joanna Tuffy: Our amendment No. 29 proposes the deletion of section 17(3). The purpose of the amendment is to delete the statutory prohibition on members of the Garda Síochána being members of a trade union. That prohibition is excessively restrictive on the right of freedom of association of members of the Garda Síochána and is not fitting in modern times. I do not understand the reason members of the...

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

Joanna Tuffy: On amendment No. 29, the Minister spoke about the special role of the gardaí and the Defence Forces but the same logic could be applied to other employees. For example, it would be difficult to do without health professionals but they have the right to join trades unions. I do not understand why the gardaí should not have a similar right to be members of a trade union and, if necessary,...

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

Joanna Tuffy: I was elected to the Seanad by Oireachtas Members. However, Senator Walsh has claimed that in tabling my amendment, I should declare my membership of the Labour Party. I do not have a problem with that. If that is his interpretation of the code, Fianna Fáil Members would have to make many more declarations of party membership than would Labour Party Members.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 34: In page 19, subsection (4), line 38 to delete "to limit the independence of" and substitute "in respect of the role of". This is a technical amendment as the Labour Party believes the existing wording is inappropriate as it refers to the independence of a member of the Garda Síochána in the investigation and prosecution of an offence, whereas the Bill makes it clear...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 35: In page 20, subsection (2), line 31, after "information" to insert "(subject to the putting in place of sufficient safeguards to protect personal information relating to individuals)". The purpose of this amendment is to ensure that the Garda Commissioner is not given a free hand to transfer personal information relating to individuals to a foreign police force or...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: Is this protection provided under the data protection codes?

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 36: In page 20, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following subsection: "(3) An agreement pursuant to this section shall be in writing and shall be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made, and shall not enter into force until such time as the terms thereof have been approved by Dáil Éireann.". The purpose of this amendment is to...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I welcome amendment No. 37, which addresses the issue satisfactorily. When we spoke about the matter on Second Stage, everybody agreed that borough councils should be involved in joint policing committees. The point was made that if one were to carry out an analysis, it would become apparent that the incidence of crime is higher in urban areas due to the concentration of population. Town...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 42: In page 23, subsection (1), line 16, to delete "may" and substitute "shall". My amendment is similar to that of Senator Cummins. The joint policing committees should be established in every area and it is not appropriate the Minister should have discretion to establish such committees. The Minister will be remembered for this initiative and he might as well go the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I appreciate what the Minister of State has said. However, I am concerned that by leaving the word "may", it could leave the possibility that they would never be drawn up. Having looked at section 32, it is clear the problem is the issuing of the guidelines. It is not the same, but in the area of public private partnerships the issuing of guidelines has been holding up certain projects. If we...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: Regarding Senator Cummins's amendment, I am concerned that paragraph (a) would exclude town councils from being involved in setting up policing committees. I have the same concern about the original Government proposal. I did not realise until now that this amendment was proposed. I agree with the Government amendment to delete the reference to the city or county development boards because it...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: The more I think about it, the more the Fine Gael amendment, particularly paragraph (a), would be a mistake. It would preclude town councils from setting up their own committees.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: From my reading of it, I am certain it would because it states "the establishment of the committee on a county or city council area basis . . . ". It does not state, "a local authority area basis." As it does not mention the town councils and does not state local authority, it would preclude the establishment of a committee based around the town council. There is no doubt about that. It would...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: The guidelines can deal with the point made by Senator Mansergh as to how one would designate the Oireachtas Members concerned.

Seanad: Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 1999: Report and Final Stages. (10 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 1: In page 10, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: "and (c) by the addition of a paragraph (e) as follows— '(e) under the Companies Acts 1963 to 2003 for the carrying on of any function exercisable by the Director of Corporate Enforcement, '.". This amendment was tabled on Committee Stage but not moved when the Minister of State at the Department of Justice,...

Seanad: Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 1999: Report and Final Stages. (10 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I thank the Minister and his officials for their work on this Bill. Like SenatorCummins, the Labour Party also proposes that money obtained under this legislation be reinvested in disadvantaged communities, in the prevention of crime or, as reparation to communities affected by crime. I understand the Minister is constrained in that regard in that this is not something for which the Minister...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (10 Dec 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I appreciate the Minister's acceptance of these Labour Party amendments.