Results 1-20 of 11,957 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Estimates for Public Services 2025 (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move the following Supplementary Estimates: Vote 20 — Garda Síochána (Supplementary Estimate) That a supplementary sum not exceeding €20,424,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2025, for the salaries and expenses of the Garda Síochána, including pensions, etc.; for...

Supplementary Estimates for Public Services 2025: Leave to Introduce (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimates for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2025: Vote 32 — Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Supplementary Estimate). Vote 33 — Culture, Communications and Sport (Supplementary Estimate). Vote 34 — Housing, Local Government and Heritage...

Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am pleased to commend the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 to the House. No amendments to the Bill have been tabled on Committee Stage. I particularly acknowledge the co-operation and support that has been given to the Bill by colleagues and party spokespersons across the House. I also extend my thanks to the Oireachtas staff, in particular the staff of the Bills...

Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy Ward for his contribution. This is an amendment that was mentioned previously by Deputy Carthy. The purpose of it is to try to provide for the payment to jurors of travel and subsistence expenses, and for reimbursement for financial losses incurred in the exercise of their responsibilities as jurors. It is important to point out that jury service is a very important civic...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Department does not have a contract for accommodation services at this location, and is not currently examining this property for use for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, or for international protection applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National Security (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am aware that Minister Naomi Long has already commented publicly to underline the seriousness of the matter and I fully agree with her assessment. As the incident occurred in Northern Ireland, it is for the authorities in that jurisdiction to investigate and I understand that a criminal investigation by the PSNI is underway. As a result, it would not be appropriate for me to comment any...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A record capital investment of €67.9 million is being provided to the Irish Prison Service in 2026 and this forms part of a total capital investment of €527 million for the period 2026 to 2030. €495 million is being provided for capital works to build 1,595 prison spaces by 2031. This will be the largest ever building programme in the prison estate and will include a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Department has not received an offer of accommodation at this location, and is not currently examining this property for use for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, or for international protection accommodation.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: An Garda Síochána have provided the table below which includes a regional breakdown of incidents reported of type ‘Theft of a Pedal Cycle’ and ‘Unauthorised Taking (Pedal Cycle)’ . As An Garda Síochána is not aligned operationally to county boundaries and due to some low counts at a Divisional level, a regional breakdown has been provided....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I have no role in these matters. To be of assistance, I have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Any assaults against members of the public are totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of or witnessed crime in the area to report it to An Garda Síochána without delay. I engage regularly with the Garda Commissioner to ensure that he has the resources that he needs to fight crime, and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station, including for the DMR North Division, is publicly available and can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and -people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-brea kdown-2025/ . The Deputy should select the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of promotions from the rank of Inspector to Superintendent within An Garda Síochána in the years 2024 and to-date...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Private Security Authority (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 203, 205, 206, 207, 235, 241, 242, 247, 278, 285 and 297 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes all operational matters such as criminal investigations. As the Deputy will appreciate, I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Private Security Authority (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 204, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 225, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 233, 234, 236, 237, 238, 239, 244, 245, 246, 248, 249, 250, 251, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Private Security Authority (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223, 224, 226, 232, 240, 243, 252 and 253 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes the National Vetting Bureau and all operational matters such as criminal investigations. As the Deputy will...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I am very pleased to be back in Seanad Éireann on Committee Stage of the defamation Bill. As the Leas-Chathaoirleach indicated, when I finished on the previous occasion I was dealing with amendment No. 11 from Senator Keogan, which was an amendment to section 19 in respect of the anti-SLAPP provisions within the legislation. As I indicated on the last...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: First, I thank Senators Higgins, Craughwell and Byrne for their contributions. I thanked Senator Keogan on the last occasion for her amendment also. Before I start dealing with the amendments that have been spoken to by Senators, it is important at the outset to remind Members here of the powers which exist at present within our courts system. Sometimes as Members of the Oireachtas, we...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: That would be hard.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Senator Craughwell asked whether I would consider amending section 34A(d). I will always consider what is said in this House and I will reflect upon it for Report Stage, but my own view at this preliminary stage is that, when I look at section 34A(d), what is set out there is comprehensible. The Senator says I should stop at "the use in bad faith of procedural tactics". What is also...