Results 5,081-5,100 of 7,404 for speaker:Mick Wallace

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: On that issue, it was disappointing that the new Garda Commissioner did not welcome all the points raised in the Garda Inspectorate's report. She denied, for example, that crime figures were being massaged, which is completely at variance with the conclusions of the inspectorate's report. I raised a point regarding the parochial nature of the terms of reference of the Guerin review. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: On that-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: I spoke only once in response to the Minister.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: I wish I could share the Minister's optimism that things will be different. To cite one example, on the watch of the Garda Commissioner, Ms Nóirín O'Sullivan, an assistant Garda Commissioner, Mr. Donal Ó Cualáin, is examining certain serious allegations made by serving Garda whistleblowers. The investigation, which has been ongoing for nine months, does not appear to be...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: 3. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the British intelligence body GCHQ's tapping of the underground cable between Ireland and Britain was authorised by her; if so, the legislation under which it was authorised; if not, the action she will take regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1415/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: I have raised this issue twice on Leaders' Questions but got no answers. I heard back from the Taoiseach this morning but there were still no answers. What I want to know relates to the information leaked by Edward Snowden that communications cables between Ireland and the UK have been tapped. The Taoiseach said in the House that any tapping or interception of these communications would...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: It would be good if we got some feedback if the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is talking to the British authorities about the fact that this is unlawful and that it is not good enough. If GCHQ is allowed to work in this area without getting approval from Ireland, it is very worrying. It would be interesting to see what the British might have to say about it, but that information...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: Would the Minister agree that under the powers she now has, she can force telecommunications companies to give her data that infringes people's privacy rights?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: I again refer the Minister to the concerns of the chairman of Digital Rights Ireland, Dr. T. J. McIntyre, who is a lecturer in UCD. He says: "It's worrying because it means telecommunications companies might be pressured into doing things that aren't entirely legal." He said that the companies would be prosecuted in secret and would be unable to disclose their objections publicly or even...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: Vodafone did.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sexual Offences Data (15 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: 12. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on commissioning an independent report of the statistics here regarding prostitution and trafficking; the impact of the proposed legislation to criminalise the buyer on sex-trafficking along with a comparison of all other models that is not just Sweden; and if she will provide the methods and resources An Garda Síochána will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Inspectorate Reports (15 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: 13. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in detail action taken by her on the findings of the Garda Inspectorate report chapter relating to the Guerin report and the Secretary General vacancy in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1416/15]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Military Aircraft Landings (15 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: 25. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views that it is acceptable that the Gardaí have not conducted any searches of US military or troop-carrying aircraft at Shannon airport, in view of the fact that the UN Committee Against Torture specifically stated that in order to comply with our international legal responsibilities regarding torture and suspected renditions, that...

Terrorist Attack in Paris: Statements (14 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: I, too, would like to extend my sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives in such terrible circumstances in Paris. There is no excuse for the horror that was inflicted on them. I will quote Mr. Teju Cole, an American novelist who wrote about the incident. He wrote:The killings in Paris were an appalling offence to human life and dignity. The enormity of these crimes will...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (14 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: I do not accept for one second that the involvement of the US and its allies in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya has contributed one iota to improving the lifestyles and conditions of the ordinary people in those countries. It has done the opposite. The more money the US and its allies spent and threw at the situation, the more problems they caused. The Minister has claimed that they are only...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (14 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: I am just saying what has been suggested.

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (14 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: The Minister and I will have to differ on why the Americans bombed Afghanistan. Only one person from Afghanistan was proven to be involved in the 9-11 attack. Sixteen were from Saudi Arabia. Did it dawn on the US to bomb Saudi Arabia? Damn right it did not, as the Americans have interests there. The Minister referred to fears about the Taliban concerning the elections. The last...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (14 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: 8. To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the decision to approve the participation of seven members of the Defence Forces in the resolute support mission in Afghanistan in view of it clearly not being a peacekeeping or humanitarian mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1219/15]

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (14 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: The illegal invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001 led to the longest war in US history. The recent pact with the Afghan Government ensures that the US will be there until 2024 at least. The new security pact puts US troops beyond the reach of Afghan law while they are training the Afghan security forces. I do not see for the life of me how the Minister, who is an intelligent man, can...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Aircraft Landings (14 Jan 2015)

Mick Wallace: 20. To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the effectiveness of his Department's interaction with the Department of Justice and Equality and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the oversight of foreign military aircraft on Irish territory in relation to our neutrality; if recent interdepartmental discussions have taken place on this matter; and if he will make a...