Results 2,221-2,240 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Business of Joint Committee (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: As we have a Senator present, we shall commence. Apologies have been received from Senator Frances Black. I propose that we go into private session briefly in order to deal with some housekeeping matters. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The purpose of this meeting is to discuss issues surrounding the recording and classification of Garda homicide figures, including the review being conducted by An Garda Síochána into the classification of homicides and the reasons for the delay in publishing the findings of that review and furnishing a report to the Policing Authority. I welcome, once again, Assistant Commissioners...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Mr. Finn. I will open the meeting to members for questions, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan being the first member to indicate.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: We will have two further contributions, those being Deputies Wallace and Chambers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is important to note that we did not signal that this issue would be addressed in the course of today's engagement. This meeting was to be particular and specific in respect of the homicide review. In deference to the delegation, it would not necessarily have that information immediately to hand.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is an issue to be addressed at a more substantive meeting with a wider agenda that we hope to have shortly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I am not conscious of the protected disclosure which Deputy Wallace has referenced. We have already addressed this matter privately and I have established that neither the Chair nor any other Member has received a dossier that would in any way equate to what the Deputy has referenced. We are not able to say one way or the other.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: That is right.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I want to make a small change in the indications. We are moving towards the conclusion of our meeting. Deputy O'Callaghan wanted to come back in briefly but Deputy Colm Brophy has not yet spoken. I propose that he be allowed to speak first and then I will revert to Deputy O'Callaghan. Is that agreed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Deputies Jim O'Callaghan and Mick Wallace have indicated they wish to speak. I want to indicate to both of them that I have a few brief questions. I am good in this respect and not like all the other Chairman who steal the first opportunity to ask questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: No. I am more than happy to speak after the two Deputies have spoken.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I call Deputy Wallace and following his contribution I want to make a few points and then I will bring in Deputy Ó Laoghaire and Deputy Clare Daly, who have both indicated since I said earlier that I wish to put a few questions to our guests.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: There are a number of points I would like to make. I concur with Deputy Brophy. It is important to say that it gives us no satisfaction at all to find ourselves in repeat engagements regarding matters such as this. Our primary role is as legislators and we have a backlog of legislation that no other committee has to contend with, so it is hugely frustrating. If An Garda Síochána...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I ask Mr. Finn to take on board the point I made regarding the disposition of members of An Garda Síochána regarding the PULSE system. However, outdated the system might be, it is hugely important that the people who operate it also appreciate its worth and adhere to what is required of them. This has not been the case. It has been either misused or abused or members failed to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Is Chief Superintendent Sutton one of those?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Who were the Garda analysis service representatives?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I do not doubt from Dr. Singh's responses that he represents a highly efficient and conscientious team. Is it a civilian team or are there ranked members of the Garda force in it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Mr. Finn said we work with the CSO. Who actually works with the CSO? Is it Dr. Singh's team or is it ranked officers of the Garda Síochána separate from Dr. Singh's team?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is a serious matter when the CSO refuses to accept Garda data on homicide statistics. For families who lost loved ones in such circumstances, it is bound to have caused some concern and, perhaps for others, some distress. The review of the period 2013 to 2015 identified 41 cases. Now, however, the period from 2003 to 2017 is to be reviewed. That is a considerable body of work and it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (14 Feb 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I have said Dr. Singh and his staff are clearly highly efficient and conscientious. His responses today have indicated that. Does he believe the responses he has given to the committee accurately reflect the views of his staff, specifically those representatives of the analysis service he identified earlier as members of the working group? Is he confident that what he has outlined would...