Results 5,161-5,180 of 15,342 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: To the Deputy's last point, it has been made clear to me that anybody who is coming from a separate jurisdiction, whether in the outer part of Dublin, a rural community or a county outside Dublin, is doing so in his or her own free time. I know there is a concern that an increased presence in the city centre is taking away from other areas. If gardaí are coming from counties Mayo,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Media (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy. The events which took place in our capital city highlight the threats posed by violent political extremism. As he said, messages of hate spread online resulted in manifestations of physical violence on our city streets. It is clear that social media companies have an important responsibility to resource and operate robust systems of detection, including the timely...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Media (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: We probably all agree that social media platforms have played a positive role in our lives in general and in how we communicate with other and stay in touch with friends. However, they also pose significant challenges and threats. The negativity we are seeing on social media platforms has grown quickly. One of the biggest challenges is identifying what is harmful content and what is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: First of all, I reiterate the view shared by many that the rioting and violent disorder we saw in Dublin on 23 November was a disgrace. As the Deputy knows, those horrific scenes followed the tragic knife attack outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire that lunchtime. Again, I am sure Deputy Daly and others will join me in wishing the victims of that attack, especially the five-year-old girl...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank Senator Ruane. As she has outlined, the amendments are all about membership of the board of An Garda Síochána or appointment to the board. I will discuss them together. Amendment No. 20 seeks to add community development to the list of matters that persons recommended by the service are to experience or have expertise in. While the Bill does not expressly state...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: While these provisions are standard across the Statute Book, I take the Senator's point. Between now and the next Stage, which will probably be taken in the new year, I commit to looking at it and exploring it further. There are implications because this amendment is incompatible with another section of the Bill, where that is clearly outlined. I take on board the points the Senator made.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: The amendments in grouping 7 relate to bankruptcy provisions in the Bill. The Attorney General has advised that as currently drafted, the provisions in the Bill which bar a person who is bankrupt from the Garda board, the policing and community and safety authority and the office of the independent examiner are not in line with the directive. My amendments will ensure that people who have...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Currently, the Policing Authority has responsibility for the appointment of the Garda Commissioner under section 9 of the 2005 Act. This is to invite the Public Appointments Service, PAS, to undertake a competition to nominate a candidate to the Government along with any ancillary roles. Acting on the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing, CoFPI, the Bill will remove...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Likewise, I cannot agree to the section’s deletion given the Senator does not propose to replace it with anything else. Moreover, the objective is that the new authority will be more of an oversight structure, whereas governance will be dealt with directly by the board. That is why the board will be the body leading out in consultation with the Minister but still engaging with the...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: All those involved in our national security, particularly in An Garda Síochána, have always taken their role seriously and will continue to do so. We have a number of deputy commissioner roles in positions dealing with a number of different matters. To be clear, no person would be or will be appointed to any security position where he or she might pose a particular threat or might...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I understand, in respect of the Senator's comments, that there are two issues in regard to the deputy Garda Commissioner. An issue arose in the past number of months which was raised by those seeking to apply to a particular position. As I have said, a memo responding to that came before Cabinet today in respect of undertaking a review of a particular threshold. I have no doubt the review...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: It is not that I disagree with the overall objective of the amendments, but similar to previous conversations, I am not sure they are necessary because many of them are covered in what is already in the Bill. Regarding amendment No. 27, while I do not disagree that such conduct could be reason for removal of an officeholder, the functions of the Garda are set out in section 33 of the Bill...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I move amendment No. 29: In page 42, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following: “(3) A person who does or omits to do anything that, if the inquiry were a court of law having the power to punish for contempt, would be contempt of such court, is guilty of an offence and is liable, on summary conviction, to a class C fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months,...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I move amendment No. 30: In page 42, line 36, after “offence” to insert “(other than an offence under subsection (3)#)”.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: As I have said in many instances, while we are trying not to be overly prescriptive in the legislation in adding in specific criteria for certain things, I think what is being proposed in this amendment more or less reflects what actually happens more generally and what happens now. For that reason, I am happy to accept this amendment.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: This section is an enabling one rather than being overly prescriptive. What the Commissioner always has to do is look at whether this is in the public interest. It has to be consistent with the functions of An Garda Síochána and he or she must make sure it does not impact on the role of the Garda or potentially take away from resources. Again, I think we are being overly...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: In response to the Senator's last point, we are always looking at ways in which we can free up front-line gardaí who are perhaps in roles that can be done by other people, be it in the courts, areas relating to immigration or other types of roles they have been in previously. We have seen how gardaí have been freed up. A report is ongoing at the moment on the prosecution role,...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Again, I believe this amendment is overly prescriptive. We are trying to ensure there is a particular ability for the Garda Commissioner to dismiss somebody below the rank of chief superintendent for reasons of public confidence. The section is sufficient to cover the broad headings for any consideration. There would obviously still have to be a disciplinary process but by reason of a...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: May I respond? I had better after all of that.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I meant after all of the contributions.