Results 9,061-9,080 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Financial Resolutions 2017 - Financial Resolution No. 2: General (Resumed) (18 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am sharing my time with Deputy James Browne. A former leader of my party frequently referred to economics as a dismal science. That comment may have been unfair to economists but it reflects accurately the relationship that sometimes exists between politics and economics. Economics is a science. It is based on a close study of previous economic development and an appraisal of vast...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2016: First Stage (18 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide for the establishment of an independent judicial appointments commission with responsibility for recommending persons for appointment to judicial office based solely on merit and to provide for related matters. This Bill provides for the establishment of an independent judicial appointments commission that would...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2016: First Stage (18 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Administration (18 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: 282. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that the commission investigating water charges takes account of the needs of those who require additional water beyond the average normal use of a person due to medical and health needs such as, for example, Crohn's disease. [30331/16]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Directives (13 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: 2. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the outstanding EU directives that her Department or agencies under its remit are responsible for implementing, in tabular form; if the implementation of any of them require specific legislative change; and the details of same. [30017/16]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Costs (13 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: 61. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action he will take to address the huge disparity in school costs which exists from school to school throughout the country and the inequality faced by parents by providing funding for a free primary education system as costed by a charity (details supplied) at €103 million. [30123/16]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome the Commissioner and her colleagues here this morning. I also want to associate myself with the comments made by Deputy Brophy at the outset. I want to ask the Commissioner about the O'Higgins report that was published on 25 April of this year. Does the Garda Síochána regard this report as an important and useful document?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: On pages 16 and 17 of the report, Mr. Justice O'Higgins made a number of observations on whistleblowers. One of them was that the purpose of the 2007 regulations and the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 is to enable gardaí to make complaints about relevant wrongdoings without fear of adverse repercussions happening to them. Does the Commissioner agree that is the purpose of those...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does that happen in practice, from the Commissioner's knowledge?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is the Commissioner aware of examples of Garda whistleblowers who have invoked those procedure but have suffered adverse consequences?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: I appreciate that. Is the Commissioner aware of such cases from her involvement within the force, as opposed to public commentary?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have one more question on this point. Is the Commissioner aware of efforts, as opposed to examples, being made by members of An Garda Síochána to subject Garda whistleblowers to adverse repercussions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Would the Commissioner agree with me and Mr. Justice O'Higgins that consideration of complaints by members of An Garda Síochána may be of considerable benefit to the Garda if they are properly considered?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: I want to ask the Commissioner about the recommendations that were made by Mr. Justice O'Higgins. One recommendation was that "detailed and specific information, as to the precise scope of the duties of a sergeant in charge ... should be set out in a written job specification". Has that been done?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Another recommendation by Mr. Justice O'Higgins is that "a review be undertaken on the terms and conditions applicable to the role of sergeant in charge". Has that been done?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Mr. Justice O'Higgins mentioned that "Evidence has been given that a new performance management system is about to be introduced into An Garda Síochána." He said the system should be implemented immediately. Has that been done?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is it being addressed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Mr. Justice O'Higgins made another important recommendation that "continuing professional development in respect of the PULSE system be implemented" for gardaí. Is that ongoing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Jim O'Callaghan: Finally, in respect of the area of management and supervision, one of the main themes to come out of the O'Higgins report was that young probationer gardaí had too much responsibility placed on their shoulders and were not adequately supervised. Has anything been done to address the matter?