Results 2,481-2,500 of 3,333 for speaker:James O'Connor

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (5 Apr 2022)

James O'Connor: 628. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a visa application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18323/22]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (5 Apr 2022)

James O'Connor: 629. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a visa application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18324/22]

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: As the Minister and Government will be aware, there has been a major increase in costs for the agriculture sector. There has been a 127% increase in fertiliser costs, feed costs are up by more than 20% and energy costs are up by more than 30%. This is hugely concerning and costly for members of the agricultural community. Will the Minister investigate innovative ways to cut costs for...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: I welcome the Commissioner and his management team to the committee. Members of An Garda Síochána served the State greatly in recent years. It has been a difficult time with Covid-19. My first question is a consequence of what arose in 2020. Has An Garda Síochána increased the mental health supports it provides for members of the force serving on the front line?...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: I thank the Commissioner and Mr. Nugent for their responses. We must show increased concern given the rise in these types of issues facing members of An Garda Síochána on the beat, patrolling our streets. There have also been serious issues with An Garda Síochána in recent years. To outline a few, we are potentially looking at the omission of capital projects valued...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: On the fact that we have had Supplementary Estimates for the past six years, can Mr. Nugent guarantee us that this will not be the case this year? Is An Garda Síochána undertaking work to address that fact?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: I thank Mr. Nugent very much. I will also ask the Commissioner a number of questions on the years we are studying, 2020 in particular, as An Garda Síochána faced an extraordinary year that year. It was also extraordinary from a controversy perspective in that a number of high-profile cases involving people in public life arose during the early stages of the pandemic. Section 41,...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: The main topic of interest here at the time would have been the then European Commissioner, Mr. Hogan. Am I correct that the section 41 process was used in that particular case?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: May I just ask-----

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: Would it generally be in writing?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: Will the Commissioner outline the Garda’s role in policing the Health Acts during the pandemic?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: That is interesting. On the golfgate event that took place in Clifden, there was obviously very poor judgment shown on the part of those who attended the event, which caused enormous public outcry, and rightly so. Does the Commissioner have any information on the cost of the subsequent decision by An Garda Síochána to investigate this event? This case has been before the courts...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: The issue here is that, as the Commissioner knows well, this had a significant impact on the careers and public profiles of the people in question. That is obviously an issue of huge public concern. The Commissioner will appreciate the basis of the question I am asking. Would it be possible for him to revert to committee with a figure?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: An Garda Síochána initiated an investigation as directed by an inspector in the region in question.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: This was subsequently proven not to be the case in the courts.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: I wish to put on the public record that it was very unwise for those who attended this event to do so given the situation nationally. I feel many of them regret attending. It would be appreciated if the Commissioner would revert to the committee with further information on that matter. On the overpayment of salaries, which is a major issue in An Garda Síochána, can the...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: On matters of investigation for An Garda Síochána, there appears to be serious discrepancies depending on the level of controversy in some investigations. In particular, I would mention that the committee has been waiting for the GSOC investigation into the Garda training college. That has been going on for over five years. Is there any degree of clarity or closure coming to that?...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: Does the Commission think it is acceptable for an investigation like this to take five years?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: Earlier, I asked the Commissioner about section 41 with a view to getting a better understanding of how it operates. May I ask him a question on the resources that were provided in the year 2020? There were a number of very high-profile interactions between An Garda Síochána, the Government and members of the European Commission. Has the Commissioner adapted or changed procedures...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: I appreciate that. The Commissioner is correct. To clarify, in financial services, all Members of the Oireachtas are classified as politically exposed persons for reasons of financial accountability. From a policing and justice perspective, has the Commissioner considered any changes to An Garda Síochána's processes in that regard?