Results 12,961-12,980 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath
- Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Trans European Transport Network Programme (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: 228. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the moneys Ireland has drawn down from the Trans-European Transport Network, TEN-T, programme in the past ten years; if he will provide a list of the projects and amounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7389/15]
- Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Trans European Transport Network Programme (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: 229. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if infrastructural projects have been submitted for Trans-European Transport Network, TEN-T, funding in the Border, midland and western region; the projects and moneys allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7390/15]
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: I thank the witnesses for attending, as well as those who have made written submissions to the committee. I will kick off with questions to Dr. Connolly. He spoke about how the nature and level of violence have changed in recent years compared with the 1980s. He also spoke about the impact of drugs and violent crime on communities. He said that in his study of 800 people, the big issue...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: In Mr Twomey's submission he stated that drug-related intimidation is a very serious issue, which we totally accept. He said he had a number of policies and responses and in particular areas would have a senior Garda who would be the link-up person in the community. I know about this from personal experience in my area. People seeking the Garda's assistance can make contact and arrange to...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: Ms Metcalfe said that in recent years the drugs crisis has become absolutely horrendous and said the area is full of drugs. Why is that? She also called for the introduction of a mini-Criminal Assets Bureau, CAB, as part of the response. Would the mini-CAB be used to fill the resource gap for some of the issues she raised earlier?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: Would it require legislation?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: Why does Ms Metcalfe think the drugs problem has been horrendous on the north side of the city in recent times?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: The problem is out of control.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: I will follow up on what Mr. O'Driscoll stated. We all accept that poverty and socioeconomic disadvantage are major factors in the drugs problem, but our focus is on how we can assist communities that are being intimidated. In my previous day job I worked in the north inner city and knew about the activities of the Mockies - the nickname of the undercover drugs squad. Mr. O'Driscoll was...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: I asked a question about the Garda also.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: Yes, on the issue of gangland crime and the intimidation of communities. Is it true that there are 150,000 unlicensed guns? Can anything be done about them? There are 200,000 licence holders, but it must be a major concern for the Garda if the figure of 150,000 illegal guns is accurate.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: Is the figure accurate?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: Did Mr. Twomey give the figure?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: I am sorry; I thought he had. It is something I would like to know. If there are so many weapons available in dealing with the drugs problem and teenagers are getting high on cocaine and newer drugs entering the country, there is a major danger to society. We must focus on this issue also.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: Dr. Connolly stated we needed to broaden our understanding of the issue. Is our understanding too narrow? He referred to amenities, the drugs market and employment. There is a drugs market in certain areas, some of which are more advantaged areas, for example, among the equivalent of middle class Ireland. Is it the case that committees such as this, politicians and police officers need to...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: Yes. Dr. Connolly mentioned it, as if not enough had been done.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: Did Dr. Connolly say that the number of gangland shootings has decreased?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: I thank the Chairman and all who made a contribution today, as it was a good exchange with important information. We can probably take some of the ideas a bit further. My colleagues on the committee will include them in the report. There is a major problem and there is no point in simply throwing our hands in the air and saying we cannot do anything about it. We owe it to the people who,...
- Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: He got away with it.
- Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2015)
Finian McGrath: The Minister is distorting the issue again. What about the resources?