Results 3,521-3,540 of 4,915 for speaker:Jim O'Keeffe

Future of Irish Farming: Motion. (7 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: The interests of rural Ireland have not been looked after by the Minister for Agriculture and Food. Her statement in April of last year, suggesting Fine Gael was exaggerating the problem, defies criticism given the current outcome. This position was reiterated by the Taoiseach last week, who seemed to dismiss the difficulties, in response to Deputy Kenny. The Government and the Minister for...

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the amount of serious crime, including homicides, committed by people out on bail; the figures of same; and his proposals to deal with the situation. [3628/06]

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the huge concern among the public about the spiralling crime figures just published; and his proposals to deal with the crime epidemic. [3629/06]

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question No. 1 is to some degree unrelated as it deals with a separate issue from Questions Nos. 2 and 4. The last two questions involve the general crime figures but Question No. 1 relates to crimes committed by people on bail.

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: I believe it is incorrect procedure. The question is about the specific problem of crimes committed by people who are on bail. That is a separate issue from the general epidemic of crime. However, I can do no more than protest.

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: The Minister did his best.

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: If the Minister fails to deal with the bail issue separately, and that is his prerogative, I will exercise my prerogative and leave the bail issue aside for separate questions.

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: I am hugely concerned about the bail issue. However, I am also concerned about the crime epidemic. My first concern is that the Minister does not appear to accept that we have an enormous problem with crime. It is difficult to envisage a solution being found until there is an acceptance that there is a problem. The Minister quoted various statistics selectively. Has he forgotten the statistic...

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: In 2000 crime figures reached 73,000 and last year they reached 101,000, an increase of 39%. The actual number of gardaí in the force today is what is relevant, not the numbers for next year or the year after and not the number of student gardaí. What counts is the number available today. Future plans for technology will not affect what is happening today. Is the Minister satisfied with 20...

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: My comment is made out of concern to see the legislation in place.

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: That is just 200 above the 12,000 that was the starting point of the Minister's promise.

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: That is codology. The Minister made promises, but he did not keep them.

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: The Minister will not listen, full stop and that is his problem.

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: The figure is up 40% since 2000.

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: Codology.

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: It is no wonder the Minister's record is of a total failure.

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: That was a poor defence on the part of the Minister.

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: I will ignore the general situation for the moment. The Minister seems to be in denial about crime in general.

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: Let me talk about bail, which concerns me greatly. I want the Minister to at least listen to what I have to say. I was horrified by the recent statistic that 15 of the people who died in violent circumstances last year were alleged to have been killed by people on bail. Urgent action is necessary on this front. We need a tougher approach to bail. Has the Minister proposals in this regard,...

Crime Levels. (2 Feb 2006)

Jim O'Keeffe: Can we toughen the law? That is my concern.