Results 5,841-5,860 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Station Closures (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am very aware of the damage done to rural communities by organised gangs engaged in burglary or other criminal activity. The Central Statistics Office official records show a 26.2% decrease in burglary in the last three months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. It is important to acknowledge that where we invest and have targeted operations they can make a difference. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Operations (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: With regard to the Deputy's last point, An Garda Síochána has shown again and again that it will stand up to the threat from criminal gangs and the Government will certainly support the force in doing that. The €50 million that was allocated two weeks ago to An Garda Síochána is evidence of that support. The threat from criminal gangs is severe. They are engaged...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Resources (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The deployment of Garda armed units is directed at highly dangerous threats, whether from organised crime or terrorism. An Garda Síochána’s primary armed special intervention capacity is in the emergency response unit, ERU which forms part of the special detective unit. At the request of the Garda Commissioner earlier this year, the Government and I moved very decisively...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Resources (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I assure the Deputy and the people of Dublin that armed support is actually in place, but not by the dedicated unit that will be the armed support unit. The function is currently performed on an overtime basis because it is essential, given the challenges we face, particularly in the north inner city of Dublin and surrounding area. Once the Government had agreed the funding the Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Resources (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am very pleased that the extra €50 million was available two weeks ago which is expected to support the work of An Garda Síochána until the end of 2016 in three areas - gang related crime, Operation Thor and in the area of security. It is important to continue the work of Operation Thor throughout the State so that the work of criminal gangs which are intent on burglaries...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Strength (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: We had a cycle of boom and bust and an economy that was in deep trouble. It is clear that this had an impact on recruitment. Templemore was closed. I am the Minister that reopened Templemore, restarted recruitment and started reinvesting in An Garda Síochána. We want to provide as much support as possible to rural communities. The types of initiative that have been taken, for...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Strength (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I repeat that it is important that gardaí be allocated to where there is an identified strong need. We are accelerating recruitment but it will always be a finite resource. Where communities are working together, it is obvious that they need a garda. However, a whole-of-community response is important, with, for instance, tradespeople, business people and taxi drivers all working...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Operations (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The report of the Garda Inspectorate on crime investigation gave us an analysis of An Garda Síochána's investigative processes and it is an extremely good report. If the recommendations in the report are followed, it is intended that the methods and investigative processes used by An Garda Síochána would align with best international practice. Our goal should be to have...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Operations (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I encourage Members to look at An Garda Síochána's strategy statement for the coming year, which outlines the priority areas in terms of the work of, investment in and direction of An Garda Síochána. Community policing is identified as a priority in that statement. We are fortunate in Ireland with regard to the relationship between An Garda Síochána and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Reports (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Whatever the problems that need to be addressed we should never fail to show our appreciation for the front-line work of An Garda Síochána. We see their dangerous and courageous work daily and we see it at present in the north inner city. It is extremely important that we express our full support for the work they do but that does not mean they are immune from criticism. Many...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Reports (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have had a number conversations with the Commissioner and senior officers on this issue. Those issues jumped to the fore when we were discussing the O'Higgins report. I believe the Garda Commissioner and the senior force are committed to the necessary changes and this is shown in the five-year modernisation and renewal programme published by the Garda Commissioner. This change does not,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Reports (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I take the points made by Deputy O'Callaghan and he is absolutely correct in his analysis. There have been very significant changes relating to training and supervision over the past two years. Supervision is now much more carefully built in. This is particularly the case in respect of new recruits but we need to see it throughout the force. It has been difficult for An Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Strength (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I said earlier in response to a similar question on a different area, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda regions, divisions and districts. It is kept under review and now that more gardaí are being recruited, there are new people available to go to new areas. In summary, there were 31 stations on 30 April 2011 with 303 members...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I said in relation to the phone line, my Department has been in touch with the HSE in respect of the funding of that for this year. I understand that funding is under consideration at present and there is an intention to support the phone line. I will monitor that and try to get a date for the Deputy. I will communicate with her on that.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Strength (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Casey for his good wishes. As he will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda regions, divisions, and districts. Garda management keeps this distribution under continuing review, taking into account crime trends and policing priorities. It is very important that we do that. The inspectorate report has spoken about...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Strength (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy said, ten of the newly attested gardaí have been assigned to the Wicklow division. As I said in my original answer, it is extremely important that we allocate gardaí to different areas. It is the Garda Commissioner who makes that decision; I have absolutely nothing to do with decisions on the number of gardaí in particular areas or transfers. These are entirely...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Strength (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Quite a number of people make recommendations about bringing back retired gardaí, for example. It is not possible to bring back retired gardaí to do the job of current members of An Garda Síochána, but the Commissioner is examining whether there are ways in which the skill and experience gardaí have built up over the years, as the Deputy rightly described, might be...

Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am equally astounded that the Deputy believes I should access papers belonging to a commission of investigation held in private, with people afforded confidentiality with respect to evidence. I am equally astounded the Deputy believes that should be done despite legislation and the detail of it. Mr. Justice O'Higgins was in a position to hear all the evidence presented to the commission...

Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is not a question of hiding behind legislation but rather of following the law. It is absolutely clear. The fact that files are being deposited for safe-keeping certainly does not envisage anybody reading them outside of their disposal to the National Archives.

Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is the reality. The Deputy is assuming the outcome of an investigation and I will certainly not do that. I will await the outcome of the GSOC investigation. We have heard partial evidence and all the evidence has not been in the public arena. I asked GSOC to investigate the issue and I await the outcome of that investigation.