Results 2,841-2,860 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Government has agreed an overall vision for the Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 to include 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. This very substantial investment in personnel is driven by our commitment to ensure all citizens have the reassurance of a visible, responsive and effective policing service. At present, there are approximately...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: During 2017 it is anticipated that there will be a redeployment of 147 Garda members as a result of increases in civilian numbers. That equates to some 30% of the 500 civilian appointments approved for the year, leading to redeployments. The process will accelerate in future years. I fully agree with Deputy O'Callaghan that we must ensure that where civilians can do the work within An...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: I am confident. The intention is to continue to move in the direction of the targets. The funding has already been given for this year for those 500 staff. Deputy O'Callaghan mentioned the modernisation and renewal plan. I have requested the Policing Authority to monitor and assess the implementation of the plan and to report back to me not just once a year but on a quarterly basis. The...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Spent Convictions Legislation (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: The spent convictions legislation is relatively recent as the Act dates to 2016. It provides for certain convictions to become spent once seven years has passed since the date of conviction. Under the provisions of the Act, the following convictions which are more than seven years old are now deemed spent, namely, all convictions in the District Court for motoring offences, with the proviso...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Spent Convictions Legislation (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: The main purpose of the spent convictions legislation is to give people a second chance. We have had very careful consideration of which offences should go into the first tranche of the legislation. 4 o’clock Clearly, there is an emerging debate in respect of the Deputy's point about drugs and a greater focus on health and rehabilitation. I take the point he makes. The Minister...
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: Yes. I cannot check or discuss with one party that is subject to the tribunal of inquiry whether it is happy with the terms of reference or the work the Oireachtas does. This is a matter for the Oireachtas. It would be prejudicial to the work of the tribunal of inquiry if I were to check out the terms of reference to any party to it. I believe every Deputy will accept and understand that....
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: I was about to address that issue, about which Mr. Justice Charleton is well aware. Everyone who has been in contact with Mr. Justice O'Neill and every party to the tribunal has indicated he or she will co-operate fully. If anybody was to begin to disregard or try to interfere with the evidence that is needed for the tribunal of inquiry, that would be the most serious charge. The point...
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: It is a fundamental requirement that evidence given at tribunals cannot be used later as evidence in criminal proceedings.
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: This relates to people's right not to self-incriminate. It has always been the case that issues raised at a tribunal of inquiry can subsequently be subject to criminal investigation, although the evidence must be otherwise established. As I stated, we have seen previously that if there is evidence, criminal proceedings can be taken at the same time as a commission and those proceedings have...
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: Paragraph [h] is to investigate contacts between members of An Garda Síochána and media and broadcasting personnel. It will up to the judge to decide how broad this will be. We must leave that matter to the judge.
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: It has been accepted across the House that the terms of reference I have brought to the House are both thorough and focused and will enable the truth to be told. I would like to conclude on that point.
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: Paragraph [k] relates to a separate investigation. It does not limit the options.
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: That is correct.
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: I do not accept amendment No. 2.
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: One cannot do that when one is setting up a tribunal. One cannot favour one party. I told the Deputy that.
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: One cannot do that when one is setting up a tribunal.
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: It is.
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: It is in there.
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: Yes, it is. The HSE is mentioned.
- Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: What's new?