Results 27,121-27,140 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: Question 133: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 257 on 9 March, 2005, in which he confirmed his own responsibility in law as Minister for the performance of any functions which are assigned by law to his Department, the basis on which he proposes to confer statutory functions in relation to prison building on the...

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: I am glad to have the opportunity yet again to debate these matters, if "debate" is the appropriate word. It is not a debate but rather, as the Order Paper states, "Statements on the implications for governance, accountability, discipline and training within An Garda Síochána arising from the findings and conclusions contained in a number of reports and the actions taken by the Government...

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: ——22 November. It is clear that the second investigation was concluded and the details had been given to the Garda Commissioner, at least. However, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform told me three weeks ago that the investigation was ongoing.

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: The date on which the letter was written to RTE by the spokesman for the Commissioner was 22 November.

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: I want to know when the result of the investigation was made known to the Minister. Does he have it now?

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: When did the Minister intend to inform the House of that?

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: I ask the Minister to tell me when the investigation was concluded. Will he put the report into the public domain? The reply that paraphrased the findings of the second investigation was issued to RTE, rather than to any Member of this House who had tabled a parliamentary question — so much for the parliamentary oversight facility that the Minister had such regard for in his earlier...

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: One of the main findings of the early reports of the Morris tribunal is that disciplinary action within the Garda Síochána takes on the character of a criminal trial with a criminal level of proof required. This is hopelessly inadequate. If the normal code of work practice is breached in any other working environment, then the offender can be disciplined or turfed out.

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: The Minister said in reply that there are ongoing discussions with the Garda Conciliation Council concerning new regulations. When will these ongoing discussions come to a conclusion? When can we have regulations that are appropriate to today? It is a long time since the original Morris tribunal was established. It is a long time since its first report. However, changing things seems...

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: The Minister is obliged to consult the council, but he is also obliged to have an outcome to the process. If he thinks that the outcome of these matters is satisfactory, we will draw our own conclusions.

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: I was never Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: The truth is that the Minister cannot take any criticism at all.

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: In my contribution today, I deliberately decided not to go through the gross negligence of the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and his Attorney General on the foundation of these matters. I want to look to the future and not to the past, but I also want to look at today. I expect that a Minister who wallows in his own self-importance would accept what I am saying as...

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: I am to be shouted down by a man who does not seek to make an intervention using the procedures of the House, which I would willingly accept.

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: I want him to answer the questions that I posed, but I want to engage constructively in this debate, as I have done from this side of the House. I did not drag up his failings on these matters, which are many and varied, because I want to build a transparent and accountable future for policing. That is the desire of the vast bulk of citizens in this State, as well as the bulk of decent,...

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: An excellent move.

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: We would change it too and make it accountable.

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: It is not to avoid accountability.

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: That is six years after the Government voted down our Bill on that matter.

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Howlin: The Minister was somewhere.