Results 1,201-1,220 of 1,416 for speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: I concur with much of what Senator Chambers said. This is wide-ranging legislation that makes a great deal of change. The Senator’s specific point on the security aspect of appointments at the highest level of An Garda Síochána is well made and deserves attention. We are very fortunate that we have people of the highest calibre and of great intelligence serving within the...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: I concur with the sentiments of the previous speakers regarding the merits of the Garda Reserve. I noted from comments at a previous debate in this Chamber last week that the Minister indicated that moves were afoot perhaps in the first quarter of 2024, and she might correct me if I am wrong, regarding a recruitment campaign in relation to getting people to sign up for the Garda Reserve....

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: If the Minister would like me to repeat any of it, I am happy to do so.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: To follow on from the Minister's comments, it is important that those thinking of applying today be given a timeframe for the process and steps along the way. This would be beneficial. I realise the Minister is trying to do work in this area. Where a person is working or trying to plan a future job, it is important to have clarity so that if he or she begins the process of becoming a...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: Living locally would allow the members of the Garda the flexibility to be able to take part in this way.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: I appreciate that, yes, but this has all to do with the-----

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: With respect, I would probably have had my contribution completed if I had not been interrupted. Anyway, the other thing would be, if I could say this without interruption-----

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: My colleague, Senator Joe O'Reilly, and I are conscious that in the area we share, new Garda members are not coming to Cavan town or to Monaghan town. It has been a while since the stations in those towns have had new recruits. This is an issue that people are conscious of and it would be nice to know that some of the people passing out now would be heading to the country, so to speak, as...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: Absolutely.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tax Code (13 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister of State to the House this morning. I thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to respond to this Commencement matter. As I am sure the Minister of State is aware, red tape, form-filling and unnecessary and complex paperwork is the bane of every single business in this country, notwithstanding the importance of due diligence and clear reporting to Revenue....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tax Code (13 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive response, which has given me comfort. Several businesses to which I have spoken appear to be unaware that this is coming in on 1 January, however. I welcome that Revenue will take a sympathetic, understanding and flexible attitude to this going forward but my main concern relates to small businesses. Large companies are probably better...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: I have been listening attentively to the debate to this point.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: It is fair to say there is a great deal of confusion among Members. In fairness, Senator Craughwell, along with my colleague Senator Chambers, has been a constant voice in the whole area of security and cybersecurity.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: I take the Cathaoirleach's point. From my limited knowledge of this, and forgive me when I say that, my concentration and concerns are directed towards the security of the State and anything that falls under that heading. I contend that the points made by Members up to this point are all relevant in that regard. I note and take some comfort from the fact that work has been ongoing in this...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: The Minister mentioned information that has been collated as being best practice. That is what I took her contribution to indicate. She said she had taken best practice from other jurisdictions.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister for her response to that. We can take it as given that everybody has no issue with the plan being a three-year plan. It is important. There is no doubt that we need a strategic plan. I know the Minister of the day can amend that plan or the procedures relating to that plan. A plan may be approved today but events within the next three years could have implications...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: Others spoke about the service plan. The old adage of "What gets measured, gets done" springs to mind. From time to time, resources will be key to implement a plan. In the case of an extreme event, for example, where there may be a dispute going on within An Garda Síochána, whether that be what we experienced previously with the blue flu or where sometimes, Garda members may be...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: I listened with interest to the previous speaker's sentiments.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: I will absolutely speak to the section.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: I would place great credence in the knowledge of such matters because those on this side of the House, from memory, if my memory serves me correctly, were quite happy and content to contribute many hours to debate, which is their right and entitlement. I certainly would not criticise anybody for doing that.