Results 16,061-16,080 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Garda Stations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The pilot would inform the other aspect of the work that is being done by the Garda Inspectorate. It will be in a position to inform the broader review. I agree with the Deputy and think it is extremely important that the Garda Inspectorate is examining in detail the dispersal and use of resources available to the Garda Síochána in the delivery of policing services to local...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Garda Stations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will put some statistics on the record. There are 564 Garda stations in the State. This compares very favourably with comparable jurisdictions. For example, in Northern Ireland in 2012, there were 86 police stations providing policing services to a population of €1.5 million. In Scotland, the ratio is approximately 340 stations to 5.2 million people. We have to bear that in mind...

Other Questions: Garda Resources (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Crime statistics are compiled by the Central Statistics Office, CSO, based on PULSE data. The statistics for the Galway Garda division reflect all crime incidents recorded by An Garda Síochána for that county. The Deputy will be aware that in the most recent CSO figures, for the second quarter of 2016, there were decreases in many crime categories. This reflects the success of...

Other Questions: Garda Resources (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have two points to make on that. The CSO's analysis concluded that, notwithstanding the issues identified by the inspectorate, the data available on PULSE was of sufficient quality to allow publication. That is really important and came from the CSO itself. On the question of PULSE access for Garda stations, quite a number of Deputies have sought similar information in relation to...

Other Questions: Garda Resources (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: There has been a Government decision to allocate almost €300 million to upgrading technology. There is a very big programme in that regard. That money will also be used to make sure that we have interoperability of databases, for example, in security and terrorism, and that we can work effectively with other countries. The money will also be used on mobile technology and on...

Other Questions: Garda Resources (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am supplying that information in tabular form. I do not have the time to go through the detail of that in the House, but it will be supplied to the Deputies who ask the question about the number of stations with the PULSE system. Crime statistics are compiled by the CSO, based on PULSE data. The statistics for Westmeath Garda division reflect all crime incidents recorded by An Garda...

Other Questions: Garda Resources (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have already made it clear that not all Garda stations are PULSE-enabled but that 92% of the recording of crime by An Garda Síochána is done in the national centre in Castlebar. It is very important to note that. Not having access to PULSE in the local Garda station does not mean that a crime incident will not be recorded because before gardaí finish their shift every...

Other Questions: Garda Resources (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It remains challenging to deal with criminal activity in every society, including Ireland. That is the reality, but I wish to reference something else which is relevant to what the Deputy said in terms of victims of crime in this country. The CSO first carried out a survey in 2010 on crime and victimisation and the most recent survey was published on 19 October 2016. People were surveyed...

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: At the outset it is important to correct what might be a misunderstanding in the Deputy's question. In depositing the evidence and documents with the specified Minister in this case, there was no question of my having authority to access that evidence or those documents. The purpose of depositing documentation with the relevant Minister is for safeguarding it. It would be unthinkable that...

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is not a game. What I am doing is following proper procedures. The Deputy may be aware that following the referral by me to GSOC of certain allegations which arose following the O'Higgins commission report, the chairperson wrote to me seeking access to certain records of the commission. Having received the Attorney General's advice, I informed the chairperson of GSOC of the necessity to...

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The reality is that due procedure is being followed. I have replied to GSOC. It will make its decision with regard to the next steps in terms of accessing the transcript but as the Deputy rightly said, I did refer some of the issues that arose following the O'Higgins commission of investigation to GSOC and I await the outcome of that, but it is not a game. It is following due procedures.

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Unlike the Deputy, I believe it is important that we follow the procedures outlined.

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is important that I follow the law and follow the procedures outlined for the investigation of such issues-----

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----and that is what I have done. I am saying to the Deputy that I have referred the various issues that arose to GSOC. I have said previously that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the purported transcripts leaked from the O'Higgins commission. For the reasons I have explained, I do not have access to the details of all that happened at the commission, and neither does the...

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are procedures to be followed in regard to that, as I said to the Deputy. The person who had access to everything that happened at the commission and who heard all the evidence was Mr. Justice O'Higgins, and it was entirely a matter for him as to what he would choose to include in his report. He did not make criticisms of the kind being made by Deputy Wallace.

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government fully accepts the commission's findings. I do not believe that when this House establishes commissions of investigation we can adopt an à la carteapproach to their findings.

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I have said to other Deputies, for ease of reference I have provided a breakdown of the detailed information requested on the number of Garda stations and the number of gardaí assigned to the DMR south division and the DMR south central division on 31 October 2010 and 30 September 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available. There is quite a lot of detail in that...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree with the Deputy that the challenge is ongoing with regard to criminal activity. We are also seeing increased levels of cyber crime, and gardaí are having to put more resources into dealing with that. A national conference was held on that today. That is a significant threat, both in Ireland and internationally, and we have to increase the resources and provide the technical...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I said, an Garda Síochána is currently conducting an analysis of the reserve and will be making recommendations. That report is almost ready. Recruitment will begin next year for the Garda Reserve. I agree with Deputy Lahart that they certainly have a role to play as well. I take the Deputy's point in respect of anti-social behaviour and the devastating impact it can have...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: In terms of allocating gardaí, it is important, in the first instance, that recruitment continues and that we have more gardaí coming out of Templemore. As I said, we have over 150 coming out on Thursday next. It is important that they have proper supervision to begin with. The O'Higgins report identified that when gardaí are being trained, it is really important that they...