Results 361-375 of 375 for garda speaker:Willie O'Dea

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Willie O'Dea: I take the point of the analogy the Senator seeks to make between the Bill and the Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill. However, the fundamental difference between the two is that under the Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill, members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland seconded here will, to all intents and purposes, become members of the Garda Síochána. They will be...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Willie O'Dea: ...will be subject to disciplinary procedures. In the debate on the previous amendment it was seen that geography is no limitation to the Commissioner's authority where discipline of members of the Garda Síochána is concerned. The same applies to other police forces, especially the other 24 with which we will be co-operating.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: ...Northern Ireland on Police Co-operation, done at Belfast on 29 April 2002, in relation to the appointment and secondment of members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to such ranks in the Garda Síochána as may be prescribed, the secondment of members of the Garda Síochána to that Service and other connected matters. There is nothing there about an ombudsman. The issue does arise...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: ...not insert it in the Bill is that, strictly speaking, it is not necessary. It is clear from the provisions of section 3(1) that a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland seconded to the Garda Síochána and appointed in accordance with this section is appointed to a rank in the Garda Síochána. I will read the full text of section 3(1) to make it clearer: ". . . the Commissioner...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: ...It was considered necessary by the parliamentary counsel to clarify the matter but I do not think it is necessary to insert another paragraph to state that the person so seconded is a member of the Garda Síochána because that is absolutely clear.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: What the Senator seeks is not unreasonable. However, it is not regarded as a matter for primary legislation, in the context of appointment to a rank in the Garda Síochana under this section, to provide for the composition of the selection board or interview panel. That is a matter which can be provided for, as appropriate, by regulation. The amendment, as proposed, is to include a new...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: Section 3(2) provides specifically that the ranks in the Garda Síochána to which members coming from the North may be appointed under this section, and the number of such members to be appointed, may be proscribed. In other words, it will be dealt with in regulations which obviously will be drafted in the light of discussion between the police services on both sides of the Border and...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: Section 10 of the 1924 Act states members of the Garda Síochana are not to resign without permission while section 11 deals with the duty of members of the Garda Síochana on resignation or dismissal. Section 14 of the Police Forces Amalgamation Act 1925 states: The Minister may from time to time subject to the approval of the Executive Council, make regulations in relation to all or any of...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: The question of representation will be dealt with in the regulations. The Garda associations are in discussion with the Minister and the regulations will be framed in light of those discussions. What was the Senator's other point?

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: Apparently not. This wording comes from the existing Garda disciplinary regulations, which do not provide for a suspension. I have to admit that I am not absolutely clear about the reasons for this. There are no plans to proceed in that direction.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: I agree with the Senator, essentially. One will be dealt with where one operates, but the final sanction is a matter for one's Chief Constable or Garda Commissioner. I take the Senator's point and I am sure the regulations will be framed with such thoughts in mind. Question put and agreed to. SECTION 6. Government amendment No. 5: In page 7 between lines 43 and 44 to insert the following new...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: I hope that the purpose of this provision is quite simple. If, for whatever reason, the secondment of a PSNI officer to the Garda Síochána either expires or is terminated, this provision allows for the disciplinary regulations and the provisions of the Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act 1986, as described in section 6(2), to continue to apply. This allows for the continuation of a...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: ...correctly pointed out, are not those who are retiring voluntarily. They are retiring because they have no option – they are being pushed. I suppose that is regarded as sufficient sanction. The Garda can impose disciplinary sanctions on its members, but it cannot do so in relation to those who have left. When people are gone, they are gone.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: We will bear that proposal in mind. In relation to the point made by Senator Tuffy, the position is that the Garda Síochána are doing the investigation here and they are the people who ultimately make the finding. The question of the imposition of sanctions is for the Chief Constable to decide. It is important that the Garda is allowed to continue with the investigation up to the point...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (8 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: ...on policing matters and is an important milestone in the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the Patten report. There has always been a comprehensive level of co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI, as it is now, and this co-operation has been enhanced in recent years. Closer communication and co-operation between our police services can only improve the...