Results 341-360 of 1,040,828 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Damien English OR speaker:Ruairi Ó Murchú OR speaker:Darragh O'Brien OR speaker:Gino Kenny)

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Traffic Offences (26 Sep 2024)

Paul Donnelly: I wish to ask the Minister of State about the number of scramblers seized since 2021 and if he will give a breakdown of the seizures.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Traffic Offences (26 Sep 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for his very important question about the number of scramblers that have been seized. As the Deputy will know, the law changed in this regard to allow scramblers to be seized. A sum of €190,000 was allocated to assist approved projects in 2022 and 2023 and almost €149,000 has been allocated for 2024 to help seize scramblers. The total number of scramblers...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: We have seen a decline in the number of gardaí in County Carlow. A few weeks ago Tullow daycare centre, which is a daycare centre for elderly people where 50 people go each day, had a break-in and yesterday there was a second break-in when the bus was stolen from this daycare centre. Crime has increased and there is no point in saying differently. We are short of gardaí. I met...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

James Browne: The number of gardaí in the area has increased by 9% since the end of 2015. We are carrying out a recruitment process in Templemore for An Garda Síochána and this has sped up significantly, with a significant number of gardaí graduating from there. There is a challenge with Garda numbers but as the numbers increase I have no doubt additional gardaí will be assigned...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I need to repeat that I have spoken with superintendent Anthony Farrell. We need more gardaí. The population of County Carlow has grown, which is very welcome. We had one of the highest growth rates in the most recent census. We do not have enough gardaí. We do not have enough community gardaí on the ground. We have seen an increase in burglaries. I spoke about one in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

James Browne: I condemn the incidents of crime outlined by Deputy Murnane O'Connor. They are absolutely outrageous and I have no doubt An Garda Síochána will leave no stone unturned in investigating these criminal activities. There is an excellent chief superintendent in Anthony Pettit, who is originally of the Wicklow-Wexford division. No doubt the chief superintendent would very much...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

International Protection

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Willie O'Dea: 14. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department will undertake a review of the suitability of the International Protection Office in Mount Street to process applications for international protection, given the significant increase in the number of people making applications at the office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38170/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am extremely concerned about the International Protection Office in Mount Street. As the Minister is aware, over the past 18 months the number of people applying for international protection has put considerable pressure on the office on Mount Street, such that I am concerned about the capacity and suitability of it. Does the Minister have any plan to conduct a review of it? Does she...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: In recent years, I have increased investment at every level of the international protection system, including in the International Protection Office, to deal effectively with the increase in applications. As a consequence, there are now more than 500 staff based at the Mount Street premises, involved in all stages of the international protection process, from initial registration, through to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister. As the Minister has said, the International Protection Office has been present on Mount Street for more than 20 years. I have been a Deputy since 2016 and there has never really been any issue with the office operating there, except over the past 18 months. What has happened is that, as we are all aware, the number of people applying for international protection has...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan. It is for the reason he has outlined and I have outlined, which is a significant increase in the number of international protection applicants, that a second centre has been opened. Almost 50% of applicants who would have been going to Mount Street are now going to Citywest. I believe it is a more appropriate location, particularly when women and children are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister. It is still the case that 57% of all applicants apply physically by arriving at Mount Street. We need to look at what happens in other countries, where they have a series of different locations where people can apply for international protection. It does not appear to make sense to me that we have only one or two physical locations where people apply. We should also...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: This is not an issue that we can deal with alone and that is why An Garda Síochána has significant engagement and very strong links with Interpol and Europol. We have worked very closely with the Maritime Analysis and Operation Centre - Narcotics, based in Lisbon. We have deployed Garda liaison officers to specific countries which we know are problematic where drugs are coming...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: I submitted another question which I thought might have been up for oral reply today. It must be in for written reply at this stage. It related to the number of gardaí across Louth and in Dundalk, with details of the numbers in drug squads. I will be looking for that. I agree with what the Minister has said. Obviously, considerable effort needs to be put in on major operations,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Catherine Connolly: We are way over time.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: The Garda is spending a huge amount of time. Councils do not have the power and Tusla does not have the tools. The Garda does not have the tools at this point in time to deal with these sorts of issues.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Catherine Connolly: Deputy-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: It is a huge draw on resources.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Catherine Connolly: There are a number of contributors - four extra speakers now. These questions are not grouped. I ask everyone to be as quick as possible because there are Members waiting for their tabled questions and we will finish at 10.30 a.m. I call Deputy Alan Farrell first.