Results 8,781-8,800 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Other Questions: Industrial Relations (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am glad to know that the working group is up and running. It is important to consider how best members of An Garda Síochána can access industrial relations mechanisms. They should have that access. At the end of last year, we faced a difficult prospect for this country when strike action was threatened by a number of Garda associations. In fairness to them, they probably had...

Other Questions: Industrial Relations (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I recognise and respect the right of workers to withdraw their labour and strike. However, when it comes to certain institutions and certain State employees there must be a question mark over that. I would certainly limit that to An Garda Síochána and judges. The former is responsible for the protection of the State, while the latter group is responsible for the administration of...

Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 12. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of her recent meeting with the United Kingdom Home Secretary. [7627/17]

Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I wanted to ask the Tánaiste about her recent meeting with the UK's Home Secretary but the Tánaiste already dealt with that matter when answering Question No. 5. Consequently, I do not need her to answer that question again.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alcohol Sales Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 3. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the licensing laws are being enforced and if any review of this matter is proposed. [7626/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alcohol Sales Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: My question concerns the enforcement of liquor licensing laws and whether the Minister has any plans to review it. I am asking the question in the context of a tragic event that befell a young man called Brian Regan from Loughrea who was killed in December 2015. It is a general question about licensing laws.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alcohol Sales Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: In fairness to the Tánaiste, she would not know the reason why I asked this question. I am asking it because I met with a man from Loughrea called James Regan who asked me to raise the issue of the licensing laws because of what happened to his son, Brian Regan, who was knocked down and killed by a car in December 2015 at 5.30 a.m. It was obviously a tragedy for him and his family....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alcohol Sales Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Most publicans do honour and obey the law. It is also fair to say that if people are drinking, they are nearly better off drinking in a public house where they can be watched by the staff and a general assessment of whether they have had too much can be made. However, we must recognise the terrible ongoing effects alcohol can have on young men and the fact that it can lead to these tragic...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 1. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the civilian component of An Garda Síochána is to be enhanced; and if there are any targets in place in that regard. [7630/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: My question is in respect of the civilian component in An Garda Síochána. I know it is the Minister's intention to enhance it. What are the targets envisaged in that regard?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Tánaiste for her response. The reason I raise the question is because we know that a 2015 Garda Inspectorate report pointed out that the Garda Síochána had a relatively low percentage of civilians within its force. It calculated the number of civilians as being in the region of 14%. When one compares that to the situation in neighbouring police forces - for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: The benefit of civilianisation is that it allows the members of An Garda Síochána to be out on the street doing active policing, which is what communities want. There is also an advantage in the sense that one gets a different form of culture coming into the Garda. I do not criticise Garda culture, as that has been done enough this week, but in terms of any organisation, if one...

Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am now responsible for it.

Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: We will be supporting the motion. If both Houses support this resolution, this State will establish a tribunal of inquiry for the thirty-first time since the foundation of the State. Of those 31 tribunals of inquiry, it is interesting to note that six of them have been into activities of An Garda Síochána. In fairness to An Garda Síochána, seven of them have been into...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 52. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if any analysis has been completed on reasons for the substantial fall in Garda Reserve numbers between 2014 and 2016. [7628/17]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: At the outset let me give members a brief overview of some terms that apply in respect of prisoners. One hears about parole, temporary release and remission, but the three terms are different. Remission is an entitlement that virtually all prisoners have to have one quarter of their sentence deducted. It does not apply to life sentences. If I were given a sentence of four years, I am...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank all the members for their contributions and efforts. I will deal first with what Deputy Clare Daly said. She made the point that she would like to see community representatives on the board. That is a good idea. We need to assess how we could identify community representatives. A criticism, which may be legitimate, is that the membership of the board may look too legalistic....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Fr. Wallace.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree. The imprisonment is the punishment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am not saying that they should be punished 50% of the time that they are in there. Being in there is the punishment. On the general issue of a sentence and someone going to jail, it is not just a question of trying to rehabilitate, although that should happen all of the time while people are in prison. Rather, a part of the function of a sentence is punishment. Am I being mean?