Results 3,581-3,600 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Other Questions: Domestic Violence (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of domestic violence. As she knows, I am absolutely committed to dealing with this issue by taking the actions that are necessary, ranging from stronger legislation and awareness campaigns - I will address this particular campaign in a moment - to supports for those who are working on the front line. Over the past two years, I have engaged in a great...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I take the point the Deputy makes. The figures for 2007 to 2015 show that 656 gardaí were assigned to the Cork city division in 2007 and 645 in 2016. This was inevitable because Templemore, as the Deputy knows, was closed. Now that we have begun to recruit again, ten extra gardaí have been assigned to the Cork division. In the course of next year, there will be four intakes of...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is why we recommenced the recruitment programme in recent years. That is why we have invested in ICT so there is more efficient communication across the whole of the Garda force and the entire country. I take the points the Deputy makes. Inevitably, given the closure of Templemore and the fact that recruitment stopped, it will take time to build up the force again. That is what we...

Other Questions: Garda Station Closures (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can confirm to the Deputy that I have asked the Policing Authority to oversee a review of, among other matters, the dispersal of Garda stations in rural areas. I understand that the Policing Authority has, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, formally requested the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to examine the dispersal and use of resources available to the...

Other Questions: Garda Station Closures (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Perhaps the Deputy would send me the details of the final point he made. As I said, I have asked the Policing Authority to oversee a review of, among other matters, the boundaries of the Garda districts and the dispersal of Garda stations in rural areas. The Policing Authority has asked the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to examine this. This will take some time. I do not have a...

Other Questions: Protected Disclosures (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I received the report of the joint committee yesterday and I will examine its recommendations. The Deputy is aware that what she is asking me to do is legally very difficult but she persists in asking the question. She is the very person who would, quite rightly, argue for independent oversight of the Garda Síochána and against politicised policing, and I would agree with her. On...

Other Questions: Protected Disclosures (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Inevitably, the information the Deputy is putting on the floor of the House is partial in nature. Neither the Deputy nor I have the full facts in respect of the situation she is describing. The body we have established to examine the full facts is GSOC. Meanwhile, we have stronger legislation. The Department of Justice and Equality and I, in our regular meetings with the Garda...

Other Questions: Protected Disclosures (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is what the Deputies say. They have particular, partial information on certain circumstances which has been given to them and which they are putting on the floor of the House. Every item of correspondence that has landed on my desk regarding whistleblowers, whether from their legal representatives or anybody else, has been brought to the appropriate place and I have dealt with it...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. The most recent Central Statistics Office, CSO, figures for the second quarter of 2016 show that there were decreases in many crime categories, including a 26% reduction in burglaries....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is making points about protected disclosures which I cannot possibly comment on. I am not in a position to comment on what, if any, further inquiries might prove necessary. I have no reason to think that everyone involved will not co-operate fully. It would be a bizarre proposition to suggest that where no wrongdoing of any kind has been established against someone, they should...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: That proposition could not be sustained.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is very important that we deal properly with allegations of wrongdoing. We have to deal with them properly. We cannot anticipate and do what the Deputy has outlined. There is no concept of fairness or natural justice in what the Deputy is describing.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Investigations (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Taoiseach and I recently met the family of the person referred to in the Deputy's question. We had a very long meeting with the family who have obviously been through a very traumatic time. The Taoiseach assured the family that when the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, investigation is completed, the question of what further action can be taken will be considered....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Investigations (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware, as is the Taoiseach, of the very tragic details of the death of Shane and the sequence of events that led to it. Clearly, as far as the family is concerned, they involved a very wide variety of bodies. There are allegations in the case relating to the courts and the DPP. I have said frequently on this case and more generally that the courts are independent under the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Investigations (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I do not accept the Deputy's characterisation of the IRM. It was an independent body with independent lawyers assessing whether there were further actions that could be taken. They came back to me at that point and said there were not. Second, the case is being dealt with by GSOC. One of the reasons the case has gone on-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Investigations (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will tell the Deputy why.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Investigations (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will tell the Deputy why. New information has been given to GSOC over the course of the period. GSOC has to examine any new information that is brought before it. It is perfectly reasonable to wait for the conclusions of the report from GSOC and see what recommendations arise from it. As I said, I am open to considering further action at that point. I would prefer to get the report...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Investigations (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I take it very seriously and I am very concerned for the family because there is no lack of compassion from anybody in this House for the appalling-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Investigations (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----circumstances that led to the death of Shane. I want to take every action I can to make sure justice is delivered for the family.

Other Questions: Protected Disclosures (16 Dec 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Recent years have seen very substantial changes in the way whistleblowers and protected disclosures can be addressed. There is the Protected Disclosures Act of 2014. Members of An Garda Síochána can now make disclosures to GSOC which has full statutory powers to examine them. There is also a new protected disclosure policy in An Garda Síochána. Recently, I referred the...