Results 2,601-2,620 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The purpose of today's meeting is to meet representatives of the Department of Justice and Equality to discuss a range of issues, including the recent controversial events that resulted in the resignation of the former Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Francis Fitzgerald, proposals from the Taoiseach for an external inquiry into the functioning of the Department of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Ms Philips. I will now give members an opportunity to contribute.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Does the Deputy want to come back?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Ms McPhillips response is noted.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I have left it to our guests to respond as they indicated they would, both prior to the meeting and in their opening statement. I am allowing members, as I always do, the opportunity to delve as they deem appropriate. If, as the Senator suggests, the questioning becomes inappropriate, I will intervene.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I am accepting the response of Ms McPhillips and her colleagues. I am leaving that judgment call to them until there is a situation that merits or warrants the Chairman's intervention. I have not seen that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: If he was here every week, the Senator would know that we allow members full opportunity for questioning and we will do so today. Everyone will have the same respect here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Good man.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: That is as it should be.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I am not going to go back over the record, but I accept that the Senator is a valued member of the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Deputy Brophy, we are here to conduct an investigation with representatives of the Department of Justice and Equality.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: This is an unmerited intervention and I will proceed by inviting Deputy Jack Chambers to ask the next set of questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Is Ms McPhillips in a position to answer. It is okay, if she is not but will she indicate that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: In this instance, may I remind Deputy Chambers of the caution I issued at the outset "Members of the committee should be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable."

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Which is different from naming an official.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Let me point that out.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Deputy Chambers. Members can ask supplementary questions if they wish but I will allow other speakers first and they can come back if they must.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Would Deputy Wallace like to rephrase?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It might be more helpful perhaps not to ask who but what position or responsibility the individual had. I am taking the same view that I did with Deputy Jack Chambers earlier. Rather than actually naming a colleague, will Ms McPhillips identify the role of the individual who presented the Minister with such speeches?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality: Department of Justice and Equality (6 Dec 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: We are not going to be able progress this line of questioning, unfortunately.