Results 241-260 of 261 for garda speaker:Frank Feighan

Seanad: Garda Recruitment: Motion. (20 Oct 2004)

Frank Feighan: The Irish Times is a very reputable newspaper, not a work of fiction. I accept the Minister is doing his best to ensure the extra gardaí will be delivered. In the meantime, in the area where I grew up and in other towns, villages and cities, the numbers of young people experimenting with drugs is growing at an alarming rate. While I do not believe 2,000 extra gardaí will solve the problem,...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (20 Oct 2004)

Frank Feighan: Speakers have commented on a proposal to reduce the use of live ammunition and the use of less lethal weapons. I would be horrified if the Garda intended to have fewer armed gardaí. At times of struggle or strife they have stood up to aggression. I for one would be very much against a reduction in the 1,600 armed gardaí who have maintained the security of this State. This House must be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2004)

Frank Feighan: ...immediately, will result in our losing all the fruits of our labour during the past few years. The drugs issue is becoming increasingly prevalent in every town, city and village in the country. The Garda does not have the resources or wherewithal to do anything about it. In 2002, some 41% of those surveyed had taken drugs, up from 34% in 1997. We are told resources are available through...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

Frank Feighan: I concur with Senators about these illegal abortions. I am alarmed that the Garda has begun separate investigations into backstreet abortions, which cost up to €500. The House should immediately let these vulnerable groups know that help is available for new arrivals and new ethnic groups. We should have education and information campaigns in these people's native language outlining the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jun 2004)

Frank Feighan: I agree with my fellow Senators regarding the Travellers illegally parked in Wexford. The situation with coloured diesel can be stopped by implementing the law. However, without the 2,000 extra gardaí in place to ensure that no laws are broken, we will not be able to implement the law. I will be trying to ensure that the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, provides the necessary finance...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2004)

Frank Feighan: ..., Equality and Law Reform on the way he handled the May Day celebrations. On this occasion, I ask her to arrange for the Minister to come to the House to ask him why he intends to close rural Garda stations. With the escalating drugs crisis and the failure of the Government to recruit the additional 2,000 gardaí promised, it is high time the Minister felt some heat from Senators regarding...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 May 2004)

Frank Feighan: Yes. I ask that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform be invited to the House, and for once I would like to congratulate him on the fact that the gardaí exercised their powers in an excellent manner during the march. Many protesters were very peaceful but an anarchist group — I would say it was the WOMBLES — came to this country and tried to cause trouble. However, the...

Seanad: Report of National Advisory Committee on Drugs: Statements. (28 Apr 2004)

Frank Feighan: .... However, while people drank more, they did not misbehave to the same extent. Another sinister element is the extra additives to alcohol. As a result, many young people end up in hospitals and Garda stations and when they get up the next morning they do not know what they have done. We must tackle this culture before it is too late. The report points out that the use of heroin and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2004)

Frank Feighan: I join with Senator Brian Hayes in calling for calm next weekend. The Garda Representative Association information indicates that up to 5,000 gardaí will be on duty on 1 May. In that context, I call for calm on both sides. I am disappointed by the abrasive manner in which the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has behaved in the past few days. I ask the Minister to come before...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Apr 2004)

Frank Feighan: On many occasions, I have raised the issue of the non-recruitment of 2,000 extra gardaí since the last election. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, has once again highlighted the need for these extra gardaí. I hope it is not a case of more election promises.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Apr 2004)

Frank Feighan: The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has stated that the number of armed detectives in the Cavan-Monaghan region has been cut by half. No new detective has been appointed in the past 12 years. There are still many serious threats to the security of the State. Criminals are aware of the problems within the Garda Síochána and are aware of the lack of gardaí being appointed. They...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2004)

Frank Feighan: ...and riots, fuelled by drink throughout the country. It is creating a very bad impression and sending a serious message to visitors. We have to invite the Minister to respond to Members questions on Garda resources and the deployment of the promised additional 2,000 gardaí. If we do not stamp out this behaviour, St. Patrick's Day celebrations will be banned because the thugs and louts will...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2004)

Frank Feighan: ...good to see the local policing committees will act as fora for discussion of policing matters. I was disturbed by a recent poll which revealed that only 58% of the population had confidence in the Garda. This is unfair to the force. How were those questions asked? Sometimes questions can be put to people in order to get different results. I find it hard to believe that figure fell to 40%...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2004)

Frank Feighan: I welcome the Minister. I thank him for publishing the heads of the Bill and giving everyone time to consider its provisions. That is good practice. I have a high regard for the Garda Síochána. On the foundation of the State, all administrative, business and security structures had to be built from scratch and my family and I take great pleasure in the fact that my late grandfather was one...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

Frank Feighan: ...urban Ireland, calls on the Government to tackle the escalating drugs culture by –Fully implementing and resourcing the National Drugs Strategy, –Recruiting an additional 2,000 members of the Garda Síochána as promised by the Government, –Reversing the savage cutbacks in CE and JI schemes, which have reduced the capacity of the voluntary and community sector, and –Ring fencing...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

Frank Feighan: ...alcohol. However, there is now a more sinister threat from speed and other such addictive substances, which we must tackle. As regards the deployment of resources, someone said that an extra 2,000 gardaí will not make any difference. I believe they would be a big help. When the Government made that promise at the last general election, the electorate expected that the extra gardaí would...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jul 2003)

Frank Feighan: ...brought about a welcome change on the streets of our villages, towns and cities. Many litter wardens are doing heroic work while facing verbal and physical abuse. Much good work has been done. The Garda has the power to enforce the litter laws but how many prosecutions have been brought? I welcomed the helpful plastic bag levy. The Seanad should show leadership by taking statements on the...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Second Stage. (18 Jun 2003)

Frank Feighan: ...was prevalent in our society. Instead, it was alcohol poisoning and that is why this issue should be addressed. The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill going through the Dáil proposes to give the Garda Síochána the power to seek closure of badly run licensed premises and fast food outlets. While I accept that public houses should be closed and have a responsibility, those offending...

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (3 Apr 2003)

Frank Feighan: ...is an issue with which we all have to deal and on which we must be united to defeat. There is one flaw in the programme for Government which states: We will complete the current expansion of the Garda Síochána and increase recruitment so that the numbers will increase by a further 2,000. These additional gardaí will be targeted at those areas of greatest need, especially areas...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

Frank Feighan: I pay tribute to the members of Garda Síochána present for their restraint. While it was not the wish of the vast majority, one or two of the protesters wanted a confrontation. That is not the way to carry out a protest. That gentleman, whoever he was, was trying to incite violence. I hope lives will be saved by this war and that the Americans and British will win it soon. With regard to...