Results 17,521-17,540 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is a fundamental requirement that evidence given at tribunals cannot be used later as evidence in criminal proceedings.

Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: This relates to people's right not to self-incriminate. It has always been the case that issues raised at a tribunal of inquiry can subsequently be subject to criminal investigation, although the evidence must be otherwise established. As I stated, we have seen previously that if there is evidence, criminal proceedings can be taken at the same time as a commission and those proceedings have...

Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Paragraph [h] is to investigate contacts between members of An Garda Síochána and media and broadcasting personnel. It will up to the judge to decide how broad this will be. We must leave that matter to the judge.

Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It has been accepted across the House that the terms of reference I have brought to the House are both thorough and focused and will enable the truth to be told. I would like to conclude on that point.

Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Paragraph [k] relates to a separate investigation. It does not limit the options.

Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is correct.

Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I do not accept amendment No. 2.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government has agreed an overall vision for the Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 to include 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. This very substantial investment in personnel is driven by our commitment to ensure all citizens have the reassurance of a visible, responsive and effective policing service. At present, there are approximately...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: During 2017 it is anticipated that there will be a redeployment of 147 Garda members as a result of increases in civilian numbers. That equates to some 30% of the 500 civilian appointments approved for the year, leading to redeployments. The process will accelerate in future years. I fully agree with Deputy O'Callaghan that we must ensure that where civilians can do the work within An...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am confident. The intention is to continue to move in the direction of the targets. The funding has already been given for this year for those 500 staff. Deputy O'Callaghan mentioned the modernisation and renewal plan. I have requested the Policing Authority to monitor and assess the implementation of the plan and to report back to me not just once a year but on a quarterly basis. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Spent Convictions Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The spent convictions legislation is relatively recent as the Act dates to 2016. It provides for certain convictions to become spent once seven years has passed since the date of conviction. Under the provisions of the Act, the following convictions which are more than seven years old are now deemed spent, namely, all convictions in the District Court for motoring offences, with the proviso...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Spent Convictions Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The main purpose of the spent convictions legislation is to give people a second chance. We have had very careful consideration of which offences should go into the first tranche of the legislation. 4 o’clock Clearly, there is an emerging debate in respect of the Deputy's point about drugs and a greater focus on health and rehabilitation. I take the point he makes. The Minister...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Spent Convictions Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act, only a single conviction under the Misuse of Drugs Acts is eligible to become spent. A range of issues arises if a person has multiple convictions for drugs in terms of these convictions becoming spent. We would have to consider very carefully whether we should allow a greater number of drugs...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Spent Convictions Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is what is in the law. It does not sound to me as if these are exactly equivalent to District Court offences. I would like the Committee on Justice and Equality to examine the issue.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alcohol Sales Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am not aware of the particular case referred to by the Deputy. I am not sure what element of the law is relevant to the case. The Deputy might point it out to me. We have a very large body of legislation relating to alcohol. There was a recent joint ministerial meeting on road safety. Clearly, the enforcement of legislation relating to drink driving has been centre stage. I am sure...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alcohol Sales Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is an extremely tragic case. Unfortunately, there were many such cases last year when there was a considerable increase in deaths on our roads attributed to alcohol use. I take the Deputy's point that the enforcement of the law is extremely important. I emphasise that it is a priority area. It should be anyway but it is certainly a priority given the increasing number of deaths on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alcohol Sales Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can only agree with the Deputy. We all have work to do in this House in respect of the devastating impact of the misuse of alcohol and where it is linked to driving. We are seeing dreadful consequences for individuals and families and increased numbers. This is linked to the fact that there is a greater number of cars on our roads but it is primarily due to the fact that we seeing a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Stations (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: With regard to the proposed new station, I am advised that the Office of Public Works is in the process of acquiring part of the site at the former Kickham Barracks from Tipperary County Council. In the meantime - I am sure the Deputy is very familiar with this - a range of refurbishments has been going on. I hope to visit Clonmel in the near future because I am very concerned about the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Stations (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can confirm that it is intended that a new district headquarters will be developed in Clonmel by means of a public private partnership. That is obviously linked to the site acquisition. The proposed new station will form part of a number of stations that are to be built by means of public private partnership. That includes new developments at Sligo and Macroom. We want a new regional...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Stations (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The intention is to move ahead as speedily as possible once the final agreement is reached on the site. The estimated cost of the Clonmel station is some €7 million. In the meantime, there is some essential refurbishment and upgrading being considered at present, such as the cells. There is also a need for new changing areas as well. Those are interim proposals pending the...