Results 1,021-1,040 of 1,212 for speaker:Dara Murphy

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2015)

Dara Murphy: The introduction of joint policing committees created a new partnership approach between An Garda Síochána, the local authorities and Oireachtas Members. I had the privilege of chairing one myself for three years when they were originally piloted and introduced under the late Brian Lenihan. JPCs now exist in each local authority area and they provide a forum for discussion of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (13 Oct 2015)

Dara Murphy: The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position as Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality to interpret the law, or to provide advice on a particular case in response to a Parliamentary Question. The general position is that the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 apply to the processing of personal data, including the recording of such data by CCTV systems. However,...

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Order for Report Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: No Opposition Member was present on Committee Stage. Determining whether amendments are allowed is a matter for the Ceann Comhairle and he made his ruling. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, is attending the summit on the migration crisis in Valletta. During the past year, it has been the most pressing issue for politicians across our Continent. Everybody should...

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: I would just restate the point that the Minister for Justice and Equality is in Valletta at a summit that is addressing the biggest crisis to affect our Continent in a generation and it is essential that she is there. It is a crisis that has come upon the European Union over the period she has been in office. She is an extremely hard-working Minister who would be here under normal...

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: I understand the Deputy had concluded his contribution when the debate adjourned yesterday evening. If I may, I will respond to the amendment, on which Deputies Clare Daly and Mick Wallace, who are present, also made contributions. Deputies Daly and Wallace raised concerns about the grouping of amendments. I do not propose to restate what I said yesterday, other than that to point out...

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: Given the trooping up and down the country trying to frighten the people of rural Ireland about policing levels, it has been disappointing to sit through this debate for more than an hour last night and again today with no member of Fianna Fáil present. It is the party that closed the academy at Templemore and reduced Garda numbers. Since this is a serious issue, it is disappointing...

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: Sorry, I meant, all of the elements. There are two Government amendments as well, and she certainly supports those.

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: No. There is full agreement between her and her officials on this significant, reforming and long overdue legislation, which will improve trust and co-operation between the oversight bodies and the Garda.

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: As the Deputy sese them.

Topical Issue Debate: Preschool Services (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: I thank Deputy McEntee for raising this important matter. The ECCE programme is the responsibility of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. While a certain flexibility has been built in to the programme to facilitate the inclusion of children with a disability, the children and young people's policy framework, Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, contained a commitment to develop a...

Topical Issue Debate: Preschool Services (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: I take on board what Deputy McEntee has said and of course I will bring this issue to the attention of the Minister. As was said, of 29 unapproved applications, six were turned down because the deadline had passed. Unfortunately, the HSE, for which this is a matter, has also stated that the budget has been exhausted and, therefore, it is not in a position at this stage to consider late...

Topical Issue Debate: Sexual Abuse and Violence (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: I welcome this question from Deputy Kelleher. I am speaking on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality who is unavailable as she is attending the migration summit of EU and African leaders in Valletta. It is some time since the Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland report was published. This was a fundamental piece of research, involving telephone interviews with over 3,000...

Topical Issue Debate: Sexual Abuse and Violence (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: I will convey the Deputy’s comments to the Minister. Great use was made of the SAVI report. It was an important body of work which highlights the extent and nature of sexual violence in Ireland. In the meantime, other data has become available, including the study by the Fundamental Rights Agency. This research has supported the development of the second national strategy on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister of State (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: I thank the Chairman for inviting me here this afternoon. I welcome members from the diplomatic community and others who are joining us. I am very pleased to address the committee in advance of next week's meeting of the General Affairs Council. The meeting will consider five issues, the first of which is the preparation for meeting of the European Council on 17 and 18 December. That...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister of State (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: I am paired.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister of State (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: I thank members for their very knowledgeable questions. I will begin by answering the last question, which related to the conflict in the Middle East. It is an issue that was highlighted by the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, at the Foreign Affairs Council. I did not refer to it in my statement but we are in full agreement with the requirement that these issues be raised and discussed....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister of State (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: Yes, and perhaps that is what should be encouraged in the first instance. I thank members for their kind words regarding the European People's Party, EPP, advice.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister of State (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: Yes, and the Chairman conveyed his congratulations to me personally. I covered the question of the clarity of our position in respect of the forthcoming UK referendum. It is important to remember that we have other good friends in Europe and we will work to ensure reasonable ambitions are maintained. I agree with Deputy Durkan's observation that these are volatile times. I agree, too,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister of State (12 Nov 2015)

Dara Murphy: Such defiance by the Deputy. I hope he does not lose the Whip as a result. I hope the predictions of humanitarian and weather-related crises in Ethiopia and Eritrea do not come to pass. Unfortunately, there will always be crises, whether climate or conflict related, on the borders of the European Union. We must work much harder to mitigate and, where possible, prevent such crises, as...