Results 2,301-2,320 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputies Michael Healy-Rae and Mattie McGrath for their comments and questions. Of course, I am aware of the criticisms that have been made regarding the lack of explanation as to precisely what happened regarding the breath tests. I accept fully that, as both Deputies noted, we need full explanations. It is obvious that Garda breath tests were not recorded properly by a number of...

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: What the Government has said is that we believe that given the series of issues that have emerged, it is time for a review of the issues I outlined earlier to the House about the organisation and management of An Garda Síochána. However, I have also said that I want to consult with colleagues around the House and have a discussion about the best way forward. Some people have...

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I believe that action should be taken if wrongdoing has happened. The scale of it-----

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Clearly, once the independent examination has been carried out and the facts emerge-----

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We do not have explanations at present. I do not have the explanations. As Deputy Shortall heard at the press conference, An Garda Síochána does not have an explanation as to why this happened.

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: What An Garda Síochána has arrived at is the scale of the audit. I agree with Deputy Shortall that it is unsatisfactory that at this point, we do not have answers as to how this happened, who was involved and why it happened. I want to get those answers as quickly as possible and I agree with Deputy Shortall that people must be held accountable. Of course, people should be...

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is not rubbish.

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have to rebuild confidence in An Garda Síochána. I accept what is being said. I am very concerned that confidence has been so impaired by what has emerged in recent times. I have outlined a way of addressing that.

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is not in the Department of Justice and Equality, it is across the agencies of the Department.

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I remind Deputy Broughan of the series of reforms I have initiated and the range of legislation I have enacted since I became Minister for Justice and Equality. When took up my position, I said that radical change was needed in the justice area and in policing. That is what I have been doing. I have been intent on ensuring that there is more transparency and more objective mechanisms....

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Wallace has obviously decided the outcome before the facts are heard. There are systemic issues which need to be addressed. It is very clear that this is not about one person. I reject what the Deputy said about the direction taken by this Government. We took over a situation where there had been no investment in An Garda Síochána. Templemore had been closed, there...

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am not trying to do that.

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is laid out very clearly in legislation whose responsibility it is to take that step should it arise. It would be very wrong, indeed inaccurate, to say that the Dáil removes people in such circumstances. It does not. It is a decision of Government. The independent Policing Authority can also make its views known to the Government. I put that into the legislation. If that...

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will not comment on a potential situation. The Government has said it has confidence in the Garda Commissioner to get on with the job it has asked her to do. She got her position as a result of an independent international competition. She has been asked to undertake important reforms of An Garda Síochána, which are under way, which need to be addressed and she has outlined a...

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy has talked about a new policing model. There has been discussion for a long time as to whether policing and security duties ought to be done by the one body. There is a range of discussions of management of An Garda Síochána. All of those issues would benefit from the kind of root and branch independent commission we suggest, given their scale. Day-to-day policing...

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----and the Garda Inspectorate. Their recommendations are being implemented.

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is going back over a debate we had in the House about the setting up of the Charleton inquiry. He is accusing the Garda Commissioner of several actions. The purpose of the Charleton commission is to examine all of those issues.

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am making the point that it is inappropriate when we have set up a tribunal to examine those allegations which the Deputy has outlined and is outlining again, which have been denied by the Garda Commissioner. We set up the tribunal to examine those and to make sure there is fairness in respect of everyone's position as far as that is concerned. On the second point about confidence, of...

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: When the Deputy says I have known about this since June of last year, he should be very clear that I have outlined what the position was at the time. It is easy with hindsight to comment on the scale of the issue, but neither the Garda nor I knew the scale that is now very obvious and which emerged just at the press conference last week and in the reports to my Department around 14 March. ...

An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy cannot draw that conclusion at all because-----