Results 7,521-7,540 of 10,435 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan
- Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: The relatively bland title of this legislation disguises the fact that the origins of and reasons for this Bill can be found in the rich and complicated history of this island and, in particular, in the history of Carrickmacross. I am conscious that the Minister and many of the people in the Public Gallery this evening are from Monaghan and know much more about Carrickmacross than I do. I...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: National Digital Strategy Implementation (21 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: When the Government announced last October that a revised national digital strategy would be prepared, the public was given a one-month window in which to make submissions. For the past six months, there has been near-complete radio silence in respect of that strategy. It appears to have disappeared. Will the Taoiseach tell us what is happening in respect of the strategy that was announced...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Church-State Relations (21 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: It is important to understand the relationship between the Catholic Church and the State. It is complicated and one probably has to go back to the 16th century Tudor conquest of Ireland to understand its origins, and then to the penal laws and Catholic emancipation. This would partly explain why, when the country gained its independence, there was such a bias in favour of the Catholic...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Freedom of Information Data (21 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: Since the FOI legislation was introduced in 1997, it has had a positive impact in providing the public with an opportunity to see behind the Government. The great benefit of it is that it ensures the public can see the reality of what is occurring as opposed to what the Government wants to present itself as dealing with. It has been beneficial legislation. I acknowledge it makes life...
- Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Stations (21 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: 204. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the now closed Kill O'The Grange Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21883/19]
- Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Administrative Costs (21 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: 289. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of rent that is being paid to a hotel (details supplied) by An Garda Síochána since January 2017; the reason parts of the hotel have been rented by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21516/19]
- Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (21 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: 299. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to develop a new modern Garda station in district F on the site formerly earmarked for a new Garda station along Rochestown Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21884/19]
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Liquor Licensing Laws (16 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister for his response. I recognise that this is not a straightforward area. He referred to the public health Acts dating to 1890. When combined with the Licensing Acts, which I think date to 1833, that highlights that we are dealing with an archaic system of licensing laws and also for having music events while at the same time having some alcoholic beverage available to...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Liquor Licensing Laws (16 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: I recognise that we have a serious problem with alcohol in this country. The last thing that I want to do is try to reform the licensing system so that pubs can stay open later because they have the excuse of music. We need to refocus the licensing system. Maybe we could do something that was done in the UK in 2005 when it modernised its licensing system. I think the Department of...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Liquor Licensing Laws (16 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: 13. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the licensing Acts can be amended to provide a separate licence for venues which predominantly provide music; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21102/19]
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Liquor Licensing Laws (16 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: Irish people have a significant interest in music and enjoy attending live events and performances as well as listening to recorded music. It is not unusual for people to want to be able to enjoy an alcoholic drink while attending a music event. Unfortunately, the intoxicating liquor licensing laws are archaic and the cost involved discourages people holding small music events from getting...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: 3. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made in tackling an ongoing feud in Drogheda, County Louth; if he is satisfied that An Garda Síochána has sufficient resources to tackle the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21173/19]
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: I want to ask about the dangerous feud in Drogheda that has been ongoing on for the best part of a year. I am concerned, and I know the people of Drogheda are concerned, that insufficient resources were put into policing in Drogheda and that this has allowed this dangerous feud to escalate. I want to know from the Minister what additional resources have been supplied to date by the...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: Since last summer, there have been 74 connected incidents relating to this feud. This is not something that has recently become known to the public at large. In fact, representatives in Drogheda, Anthony Moore and James Byrne, were in touch with me repeatedly from last summer informing me about the extent of the problem with this feud but, more importantly, also about the lack of Garda...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome the increased resources that were allocated to Drogheda but I do not shy away from making a criticism of the fact it should have been done much sooner. This is a feud that has been going on for a considerable time. The additional Garda resources will be important and useful in trying to deal with the criminality of the gangs involved but, obviously, more is required in order to...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (16 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: The Minister also needs to consider resourcing An Garda Síochána in respect of this. Serious criminals are carrying out these crimes. We do not know whether they are armed but it would not surprise me if they are when they commit these offences. We know that in the northern region there is an armed support unit split between Louth and Donegal. The Minister needs to give serious...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (16 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: 1. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the actions he has taken to provide additional supports to An Garda Síochána to address a number of recent thefts of automated teller machines, ATMs; if tracking devices are being considered for installation in ATMs to address the issue; if additional Garda resources have been deployed to areas likely to be targeted;...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (16 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: This question relates to the recent thefts of ATMs. As the Minister is aware, there has been a series of such thefts in recent months, particularly in the Border counties and in the neighbouring jurisdiction of Northern Ireland. What steps does the Government believe it can take to prevent these thefts? In that context, I refer to the provision of additional resources or engagement with...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (16 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister. These are very serious and organised crimes. It is apparent to anyone who has looked at them that a pattern is emerging. They are crimes which have been taking place in the Border counties and in Northern Ireland. We need to ensure that there is cross-jurisdictional co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI.
- Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service Data (16 May 2019)
Jim O'Callaghan: 24. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of assaults on prison officers and staff working in prisons since 2016; the actions taken to deter these assaults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21106/19]