Results 281-300 of 1,066 for garda speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I can however assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to doubling...

Organised Crime: Statements (20 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...those with addictions. We have a journey to go in this regard. What I have said does not take away from other points on the criminal justice side, however. We have to continue to support the Garda in its incredible work. It is doing incredible work in seizing illegal drugs and at international level. We have to listen to the gardaí. I was so pleased to hear that gardaí...

Organised Crime: Statements (20 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...to discuss the impact of gangland and organised crime on communities across the country. It is a timely discussion as the Government sets to introduce tougher laws to further support An Garda Síochána in taking on the gangs that try to inflict misery on communities. I am pleased to report that significant progress has been made by An Garda Síochána in the past...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Private Security Authority (20 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...in Ireland including the event security sector. Those regulated by the PSA must meet prescribed standards and training requirements. They are also vetted by the National Vetting Bureau of An Garda Síochána. Contractors providing event security services have required a licence since 2014. Since the 1 November 2022, licensing has been extended to those working at events. Event...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (20 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...under the Act which were secured prior to that date. As I know this is an issue that the Deputy has enquired about before and in order to be of assistance, I requested information from An Garda Síochána in relation to their work which the Deputy may find useful. I have been informed that, to date, An Garda Síochána have commenced 105 prosecutions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Electoral Process (20 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). This includes the direction of investigative priorities for the service and the recording of information on Garda IT systems, including the PULSE database. As Minister, I have no role in these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: An Garda Síochána was fully consulted as this general scheme was developed. I can also assure the Deputy that the Department of Justice continues to engage with An Garda Síochána in relation to the Sale of Alcohol Bill to ensure that it contains a full suite of enforcement powers and resources to meet their policing needs. As the Deputy may be aware , the Joint...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...We are committed to delivering on the goal of this strategy - a society that does not accept any form of sexual violence. On the specifics of the Deputy's question, I requested information from An Garda Síochána in relation to the number of sexual assaults reported to them as having occurred in a hospital. I have been informed by Garda authorities that a search of PULSE was...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Drug Dealing (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: .... Offences in this regard do already exist, however, and I think the question from the Deputy concerns whether enough is being done to enforce them. I will certainly raise this matter with the Garda based on this discussion. For the record of the House, for anyone who follows these debates and for young people and their parents, I note it is already an offence to sell, import or...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Reviews (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...around things like culture, inclusion, support, and empowering people to speak up and to speak out. On the topic of cultural audits, I am happy to get a detailed note to Deputy Ó Ríordáin on this. An Garda Síochána plays an important role. The plan for the prison service later this year will be very important in trying to advance what the Deputy is trying to do....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Reviews (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...though is how an organisation responds when that happens. I was encouraged when the Paul Moody case took place. I will not comment on a specific case in the House but after that, in August 2022, the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, confirmed that An Garda Síochána would conduct a specific review following on from the case, primarily from that lessons learned perspective, and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Drug Dealing (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...to this problem area in our country. Revenue's customs officers are responsible for monitoring and seizing importations of nitrous oxide into the State. Deputy Ward will also be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for all enforcement operations by An Garda Síochána. I say that to be helpful. Nitrous oxide has various legitimate uses - medical,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Drug Dealing (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, and I think there is some interaction there in terms of that Private Members' Bill. I have been informed by Garda authorities, and I will seek more information for the Deputy on this, that a number of significant seizures of canisters containing nitrous oxide have been made in recent years so I am...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...to seek the approval of the Oireachtas for that to be passed this side of the summer recess. I do not suggest, and nor would the Deputy, that this is the answer to all the challenges faced by gardaí or others as they go about their business, but it is an opportunity for us in this House to send out a very important message. One of the signs of encouragement people can take is the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...puts an upward pressure on the length of sentences given out by the courts. Therefore, I think maximum sentencing is the most effective way to go at this time. I, too, send solidarity to any garda or emergency front-line worker who has experienced any level of assault or abuse when going about their duties. This is also an important opportunity to thank gardaí for the incredible...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Reviews (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...and supportive and does not have any tolerance at all for misogyny, violence or inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. I think we would both agree that the vast majority of members of An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service serve their organisations and our country with integrity each and every day of their careers. We are rightly proud of the jobs they do, often...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...in our society. It is imperative that front-line workers are able to go about their work safely and that the law reflects the importance of this. For the most part, the relationship between the Garda and the public is one built on significant trust. We only have to look at the fact that An Garda Síochána is a largely unarmed and yet hugely effective community policing service....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Ríordáin for the question. Under the national development plan, the Government is committed to investing significant levels of capital funding into An Garda Síochána to deliver a Garda station modernisation and refurbishment programme, to delivering strategic ICT and digitalisation projects, and to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose Garda fleet. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: ...project is a commitment under the national development plan. The Office of Public Works will have responsibility for project delivery. The site for the location is still subject to discussions between the Garda, the OPW and Dublin City Council. The proposed site is at Northern Cross on the Malahide Road on lands currently owned by the city council, which Deputy Ó Ríordáin...