Results 9,041-9,060 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Recognition of Traveller Ethnicity: Discussion (26 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: My name is Jim O'Callaghan and I thank our guests very much for attending. They are very welcome. The report from April 2014 was compiled by the previous committee. This committee will stand by that report. I can understand the witnesses' frustration that it has not been implemented, specifically the recommendations contained in it. On the general issue of Travellers, in my assessment...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Recognition of Traveller Ethnicity: Discussion (26 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Do I take it from the witnesses' answers that, to summarise, they believe there will be practical benefits of the State's recognition of Traveller ethnicity and that it will not be just some political formula that would be of no consequence?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Recognition of Traveller Ethnicity: Discussion (26 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Finally, what is their assessment as to why recognition has not been granted as of yet?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Recognition of Traveller Ethnicity: Discussion (26 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Equal Status Act already prohibits discrimination against Travellers as a particular ground. What other potential legal expansion could be caused by this?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Recognition of Traveller Ethnicity: Discussion (26 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Why does the commission believe recognition has not yet happened? Deputy Jonathan O'Brien indicated earlier on that there may be dark reasons as to why. Maybe it is more a benign reason in that there is a concern among officials in the Department of Justice and Equality that recognition will give rise to new causes of action which may result in litigation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Recognition of Traveller Ethnicity: Discussion (26 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission aware of any other groups in Ireland that are seeking ethnic recognition?

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Emergency Services (26 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: 168. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current arrangements in place for calling out mountain rescue; and the costs associated with same. [32280/16]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Services for People with Disabilities (25 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: 154. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Government intends to bring the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 before Dáil Éireann. [31997/16]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (25 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: 162. To ask the Minister for Finance to outline the reason there are different criteria for benefits and taxation, whereby a cohabiting couple have to be jointly assessed for social protection entitlements and cannot be jointly assessed for tax purposes as cohabitants who are not married; and if this rule can be changed to allow cohabiting couples to apply to be jointly assessed for tax...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (20 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: 73. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of the roll-out of body cameras for all gardaí; if she has received such a request from the Garda Commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31445/16]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for Garda Inspectorate: Discussion (19 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the witnesses for coming in. Have either of them read the O'Higgins report?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for Garda Inspectorate: Discussion (19 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Would Mr. Toland agree with me that some of the specific findings in the O'Higgins report replicate the general findings in his Crime Investigation report of 2014? In particular, he found that inexperienced gardaí were investigating serious crimes and on a micro level, Judge O'Higgins found that also. What are the witnesses recommending should be done to ensure we do not have a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for Garda Inspectorate: Discussion (19 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Mr. Toland is recognising that specific crime sometimes requires specialist attention. That is the intention.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for Garda Inspectorate: Discussion (19 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: In his report, Changing Policing in Ireland, Mr. Toland recommends the establishment of a position of deputy commissioner for governance and strategy. Was that a mechanism to try to ensure that there was an improvement in management and supervision within the force?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for Garda Inspectorate: Discussion (19 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Another aspect examined in the Changing Policing in Ireland report is the Garda college. Mr. Toland notes that the majority of training takes place in the college, which is both expensive and inefficient. Would he agree it is important that we continue to ensure that gardaí go for ongoing, continuing training and education?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for Garda Inspectorate: Discussion (19 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does Mr. Toland believe the Garda currently has the expertise to investigate very serious and sensitive offences such as sexual offences and, on the other side, white collar crime?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for Garda Inspectorate: Discussion (19 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does Mr. Toland believe that the upper echelons of An Garda Síochána take the Garda Inspectorate's reports and recommendations seriously?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for Garda Inspectorate: Discussion (19 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: I take if from that the Garda Inspectorate is satisfied with the co-operation it is getting from An Garda Síochána in respect of its reports.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for Garda Inspectorate: Discussion (19 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Inspectorate has a specific statutory objective, which is to ensure that the resources available to the Garda are used so as to achieve and maintain the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness. We talk a lot about failings on the part of An Garda Síochána but it is also important to look to see what can be done to improve morale within the force. Would Mr. Toland...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for Garda Inspectorate: Discussion (19 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Mr. Toland.