Results 9,441-9,460 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (19 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: 24. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to assist children who are being intimidated out of their homes by criminal elements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2164/15]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Services for People with Disabilities (19 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: 35. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding training options and employment opportunities for persons with a disability (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7507/15]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (19 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: 126. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7639/15]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Appointments to State Boards (19 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: 143. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding persons with a disability in respect of a board of management appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7504/15]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (19 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: 144. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding services for persons with a disability in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7506/15]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Data (19 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: 180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school leavers in 2014 with an intellectual disability (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7505/15]

Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to speak about the Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2015. I welcome both the Bill and this particular debate, as it is an opportunity to plan ahead, reform the education system and ensure that Ireland has educational standards of top quality and, through this Bill, top-class professional quality teachers. One should never forget...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: I thank the witnesses for attending, as well as those who have made written submissions to the committee. I will kick off with questions to Dr. Connolly. He spoke about how the nature and level of violence have changed in recent years compared with the 1980s. He also spoke about the impact of drugs and violent crime on communities. He said that in his study of 800 people, the big issue...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: In Mr Twomey's submission he stated that drug-related intimidation is a very serious issue, which we totally accept. He said he had a number of policies and responses and in particular areas would have a senior Garda who would be the link-up person in the community. I know about this from personal experience in my area. People seeking the Garda's assistance can make contact and arrange to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: Ms Metcalfe said that in recent years the drugs crisis has become absolutely horrendous and said the area is full of drugs. Why is that? She also called for the introduction of a mini-Criminal Assets Bureau, CAB, as part of the response. Would the mini-CAB be used to fill the resource gap for some of the issues she raised earlier?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: Would it require legislation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: Why does Ms Metcalfe think the drugs problem has been horrendous on the north side of the city in recent times?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: The problem is out of control.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: I will follow up on what Mr. O'Driscoll stated. We all accept that poverty and socioeconomic disadvantage are major factors in the drugs problem, but our focus is on how we can assist communities that are being intimidated. In my previous day job I worked in the north inner city and knew about the activities of the Mockies - the nickname of the undercover drugs squad. Mr. O'Driscoll was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: I asked a question about the Garda also.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: Yes, on the issue of gangland crime and the intimidation of communities. Is it true that there are 150,000 unlicensed guns? Can anything be done about them? There are 200,000 licence holders, but it must be a major concern for the Garda if the figure of 150,000 illegal guns is accurate.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: Is the figure accurate?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: Did Mr. Twomey give the figure?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: I am sorry; I thought he had. It is something I would like to know. If there are so many weapons available in dealing with the drugs problem and teenagers are getting high on cocaine and newer drugs entering the country, there is a major danger to society. We must focus on this issue also.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Effects of Gangland Crime: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Finian McGrath: Dr. Connolly stated we needed to broaden our understanding of the issue. Is our understanding too narrow? He referred to amenities, the drugs market and employment. There is a drugs market in certain areas, some of which are more advantaged areas, for example, among the equivalent of middle class Ireland. Is it the case that committees such as this, politicians and police officers need to...