Results 61-80 of 193 for garda speaker:Alan Farrell

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Sep 2015)

Alan Farrell: ...do otherwise. I thank the Minister for presenting the Bill. As a member of the justice committee, I have had a great deal of discussion and input on the fundamentally required reforms of both An Garda Síochána and other associated bodies in providing oversight to the operation of the Garda. I will refrain from engaging in the type of discussion that we heard before I took to...

Public Accounts Committee: 2017 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána
Chapter 7 - Management of Overtime Expenditure in An Garda Síochána (9 May 2019)

Alan Farrell: I have a brief question for the Garda Commissioner about overtime. It is one of the questions I omitted but it is probably the most important in the context of the budget. I am Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs, which has oversight of Oberstown. One of the main consumers of overtime is the transfer of children on remand or in detention to courts....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Recent Controversies Concerning An Garda Síochána (30 Mar 2017)

Alan Farrell: That is my point. During my 13 years in politics, there have always been questions about the figures produced by An Garda Síochána. The Garda is the source of the data. If there is an issue with the production of the information, it makes no difference how trustworthy the CSO is, it will not be able to interpret the data accurately. I accept the Commissioner's point and I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting of Personnel (16 Sep 2016)

Alan Farrell: 160. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the action she will take to ensure schools and teachers are made fully aware of the Garda vetting procedures in place for teachers taking up new employment; the measures she will put in place to avoid a repeat of the situation in 2016 whereby many teachers were without the required Garda vetting at the start of the academic year and therefore...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Firearms Licences: (Resumed) Discussion (21 Jan 2015)

Alan Farrell: ...standard practice is to privatise testing, but if the licensed firearms community was asked to provide a photograph or digital record of a certain quality and a report of a certain quality to An Garda Síochána or a civilian authority at a specific cost of approximately €200 for a new firearm licence, would it be prepared to bear the cost itself? The last thing I want to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Annual Policing Plan 2015: Garda Commissioner (25 Mar 2015)

Alan Farrell: I welcome Commissioner O'Sullivan's response. Some members of the Garda Síochána have remarked on vehicles that go out of commission for a variety of reasons, for example soiling of the back seats. I tabled a parliamentary question recently on whether the use of leather or leatherette seating is more appropriate in 2015 in place of the current fabric covered seating, so that...

Public Accounts Committee: 2017 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána
Chapter 7 - Management of Overtime Expenditure in An Garda Síochána (9 May 2019)

Alan Farrell: ...upon the CCTV element of what Deputy Aylward referred to in respect of motorways and general streetscapes, would ANPR technology which is not vehicle-mounted be cost-effective or beneficial to An Garda Síochána? Can it be retrofitted to existing traffic cameras across the road network? Does the Commissioner believe it would be beneficial to An Garda Síochána in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Policing Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Nov 2023)

Alan Farrell: ...few issues. I have a very short period of time to cover the ground but in particular I want to speak about the roster, mental health and well-being and associated supports. I want to touch on the Garda allocation model for districts throughout the country in light of the Commissioner's appointment to his role. Has he amended this in any way? Is it still solely based on the crime...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for Garda Inspectorate: Discussion (19 Oct 2016)

Alan Farrell: While we have done the closure of rural Garda stations to death, I am conscious of Mr. Toland’s background experience in the UK. Comparatively speaking between ourselves and the United Kingdom in size and population, we have a massive number of Garda stations. I listened to Mr. Toland’s comments on people’s perceptions as opposed to his own and the fact we have a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Alan Farrell: ...than analyse it properly. My point, particularly to the AGSI, is that the drip effect of those reports on morale in the coming months will have a detrimental effect. My next question is for the Garda Inspectorate which relates to its existence. Given certain similarities, I thank Mr. Olson for his line-by-line assessment of the legislation in terms of bolstering his own role. That is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Policing Matters: Garda Commissioner (11 Nov 2015)

Alan Farrell: ...proposals on the firearms licensing regime. The Chairman has spent a great deal of time working on the project along with Deputy McGrath. The proposed licensing authority is independent of An Garda Síochána. Will the authority be more of a consultative body rather than an administrative function for the force? Does the Commissioner believe that the new authority will speed up...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Cybersecurity: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2017)

Alan Farrell: I thank the witnesses and members of the committee for their presence. This morning we will hear from representatives of An Garda Síochána and from the Office of Internet Safety and CyberSafeIreland on the topic of cybersecurity with regard to children and young adults. I welcome from An Garda Síochána Mr. John O'Driscoll, assistant commissioner in the area of special...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (21 Sep 2016)

Alan Farrell: ...GSOC is now permitted to commence without a complaint, is the commission aware of, or does it participate in the oversight of the secondary element of that process where it is reviewed by another Garda inspector which is mentioned in the GSOC report? Is there a Chinese wall within An Garda Síochána in regard to that process? Does GSOC have any oversight of that? Is it a truly...

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (1 Feb 2023)

Alan Farrell: ...component of the programme for Government and the adoption of the report on the Commission on the Future of Policing In Ireland, which called for the deployment of body cameras for members of An Garda Síochána. As many speakers have said, this is not just for the purposes of rooting out criminality but it is also for the protection of the public and members of An Garda...

Crime: Statements (5 May 2016)

Alan Farrell: .... However, Deputy Murphy needs to reassess the decision he made in this regard. I would like to open my remarks in these statements that are being made today by commending the members of An Garda Síochána, whether they be new recruits or experienced, senior officers, on the work they do on our behalf, putting their lives on the line daily and tackling everything from small,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Policing Matters: Garda Commissioner (11 Nov 2015)

Alan Farrell: I will do my best, Chairman. I expect the provision of additional vehicles and extra personnel will have a profound effect on morale within An Garda Síochána. What is the Commissioner's view on the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015, which deals with repeat burglars and is undergoing final preparation? I understand the Garda Síochána analysis service has...

Policing, Protests and Public Order: Statements (28 Nov 2023)

Alan Farrell: ...I admit, but by quite a number. It is obvious that the people of Dublin and Ireland want action to prevent these events from occurring in the future. In this House we must do all we can to assist An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice in doing their jobs. That starts in this Chamber. I have seen little evidence of that among some. We must not lose sight of who is...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (13 Jun 2019)

Alan Farrell: ...least informing. I read through that correspondence and was confused as to why we had it. The problem I foresee in the Committee of Public Accounts dealing with this by writing to both OPW and An Garda Síochána is that we then confirm our unintentional catch-all status. We should refer it back to the sender and ask him or her to refer it back to the OPW, which was the first...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for Garda Inspectorate: Discussion (19 Oct 2016)

Alan Farrell: Every time I ask a question of the current Garda Commissioner and Minister on technology, I get the reply that we are giving €30 million, or whatever, for improvements to the PULSE system. Clearly, PULSE is an out-dated system which one is constantly adding to but not actually addressing. Members of the Oireachtas would compare it with the system we use which is equally antiquated...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of Bail Bill 2015: Discussion (4 Nov 2015)

Alan Farrell: I agree. Ultimately, if someone is in breach of a court order, the Garda can arrest the person but clearly there must be evidence. That goes without saying. Reference was made to investment within the justice system. It is very clear that having a fit for purpose computer system for An Garda Síochána is a clear imperative for presenting information in a courtroom. I have seen...