Results 241-260 of 987 for garda speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: ...Drug Markets Report of 2019. As the Deputy knows, the report relates to all of Europe, including Ireland. The continued disruption of the supply of all illicit drugs is part of the mission of An Garda Síochána and other State agencies tasked with responsibilities in this regard. While we seek to help people who use drugs using a health-led approach, we will continue the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Garda Reform (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: In respect of Garda numbers, An Garda Síochána is once again a growing organisation. There are more than 14,200 gardaí now, aided by 2,900 Garda staff nationwide. These numbers continue to increase. The Government's aim is to reach a total workforce of 21,000 by 2020, and we are confident that target will be met. An additional 200 new gardaí will be sworn on Friday in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Garda Reform (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: ...to implement the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The plan was developed in co-operation with stakeholders, in particular the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. The plan is set out across four key phases: building blocks, launching, scaling and consolidation. The first year of implementation, 2019, comprised the building...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Community Enhancement Programme (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: ...those concerns very seriously. It is also important to acknowledge that the number of murders, manslaughters and death threats is down by 40% on this time last year. The number of burglaries is also down. The Garda is having significant success in combating these most serious forms of crime. The Government is committed to reopening Fitzgibbon Street Garda station. The Office of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Community Enhancement Programme (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: ...sub-committee on social policy and public services provides political oversight of the NEIC initiative. To date in 2019, the board has delivered several improvements for the area, including an increased Garda presence backed up by the Garda community support van and a focus on community policing, the commencement of a project focused on drug-related intimidation, the establishment of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (20 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: ...x20ac;1,610 €5,580 €3,982 €2,005 Clerical Officer and Service Officer €230 €310 €0 €207 Defence Forces, Engineer, Scientific Grades and Garda Staff €460 €310 €592 €552 Executive Officer ...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The one that deals with security, for example, allows us to bring in the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and the Garda Commissioner, whom we cannot bring to a Cabinet meeting. There are many ways to do business: at the Cabinet, Cabinet committees, meetings with Ministers and meetings with people not under the umbrella of a Cabinet committee. Sometimes officials, in particular, favour...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I agree with the Deputy. On whether the GSOC report can be provided to the family, as he knows, GSOC operates independently of Government and independently of the Garda. However, we will make inquiries as to whether it is possible to share that with the family. At the very least, if there is some reason it cannot be shared, the family should know why. I take this opportunity to express...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: ...present in buildings and on our streets. CCTV is a force for good. It deters crime and enables us to prosecute criminals where crime takes place. It is regulated by law. For example, the Garda Síochána Act 2005 regulates both Garda CCTV and community CCTV in public areas. I know Deputies are familiar with the protections offered by the data protection law over the use of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: ...to matters such as this and crimes of a sexual nature against children, it is not adequate for an organisation to investigate itself. Of course, other investigations may get under way, such as a Garda investigation because these are crimes which can be prosecuted. We need to bear in mind that this abuse occurred in the 1970s and 1980s-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I wish to congratulate the Garda on its swift action to prevent rioting and criminal damage in Cork. I do not think there were 100 masked youths on the street. The matter is under investigation, but I do not think that is quite what happened. Certainly, the Garda acted swiftly to prevent any crimes being committed or criminal damage being caused. It is a very good example of policing...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I have not yet had the opportunity to do so, but I will the next time I meet the Garda Commissioner.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: ...are down by 10% nationwide. We should welcome that. The decrease is to be encouraged, particularly in rural areas where we are seeing a significant reduction in burglaries because of action the Garda has taken. In the past year, murders and homicide offences are down by 40% as a result of the excellent work being done by the Garda.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (12 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: To answer the question that was asked, the number of gardaí has increased every year for four or five years ago now. I think the strength is above 14,000. As part of the reform being led by the Garda Commissioner, more civilian staff are also being hired, which frees gardaí to be out on the front line doing policing, which is what people want them to do; they want to see them in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (12 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on security deals with issues relating to justice, defence, Garda reform and national security. It last met on Wednesday, 30 October 2019 and the next meeting of the committee will be scheduled in the next few weeks. It encompasses matters that were previously under the remit of Cabinet committees G,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (12 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: ...drugs. That is not an approach that has worked but we are not going as far as full decriminalisation or legalisation. I know some people would call for that but we are not going to go that far. On Garda resources, the budget for the Garda next year is €1.88 billion, which is the biggest budget for the Garda ever.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Legislative Process (12 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below. Table 1: money messages issued 2016 Garda Síochána (Amendment)(No.2) Bill 2014 Parole Bill 2016 2017 Competition (Amendment) Bill 2016 Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I join the Deputy in acknowledging the progress that has been made in the greater Drogheda area and the success An Garda Síochána has had in quelling violence and tension in Drogheda in the past couple of months. That is, of course, in part connected to the additional resources provided for the area. The budget allocated to An Garda Síochána for next year is €1.88...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----and there is nothing in either of those about those particular Garda stations. It might be more appropriate to raise this matter with the Minister for Justice and Equality during Question Time or to table a Topical Issue matter.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Both the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, and I have visited Drogheda in the last few months to hear about the situation first-hand from both the Garda and people living in the area. Additional resources have been provided by the Garda Commissioner, and it is up to him to decide whether additional resources can be provided in the next few weeks. However, next year's...