Results 9,861-9,880 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: It is a disgrace.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: I am trying to deal with the real issues. I believe the victims who are being intimidated in this city.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: We are below the 13,000 figure for the Garda. That is another misleading comment.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: I am surprised at Deputy Lyons. He should know better.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Redeployment (4 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: 86. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding redeployment on civil servants on career breaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46718/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drugs-Related Intimidation (4 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: 136. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support residents who are being intimidated by drugs gangs but who are too afraid to report the fact to the Garda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46715/14]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: School Completion Programme (4 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: 138. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the school completion programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46716/14]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Initiatives (4 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: 212. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the BRT scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46714/14]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Administration (4 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: 213. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will advise clubs on accessing funds under the Sports Capital Programme in 2015. [46717/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Aggressive Begging from a Public Order Perspective: Discussion (3 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: The problem is the guards are not a huge issue in the lives of these people and the system does not really want to deal with the issue because it has other issues with which to deal. This is part of the problem. Therefore, we need someone who will deal with this particular issue. The community courts would be a part of the solution.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Aggressive Begging from a Public Order Perspective: Discussion (3 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: I take the point but I am interested in the organisations' overall analysis of the problem.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Aggressive Begging from a Public Order Perspective: Discussion (3 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: That is fair enough. I pose the question because earlier this morning I heard an interview on radio with a gentleman who said that two weeks ago he had offered support to Jonathan Corrie, the man who died across the road from the Dáil, but that he had turned it down and wanted only to talk to him. He also said he was not in any way aggressive. The point I am making is that the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Aggressive Begging from a Public Order Perspective: Discussion (3 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: Ms Devitt referred to an online survey of 524 members of the public. Why was the survey conducted online and why was it not much broader than that? In my opinion this issue requires a greater focus than those who have access to the Internet. As a backbencher I know that this issue is regularly highlighted by people who have pubs and restaurants. Why was the base narrowed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Aggressive Begging from a Public Order Perspective: Discussion (3 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: In regard to the three-year strategy in relation to An Garda Síochána, I accept the need for an increase in the number of gardaí into the future. The current complement is in the region of 13,000 and as announced last week by the Minister a further 200 gardaí are due to come on stream. The delegates have called for an increase in the number of gardaí on the beat...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Aggressive Begging from a Public Order Perspective: Discussion (3 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: Are the delegates not happy with existing legislation in this area?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Aggressive Begging from a Public Order Perspective: Discussion (3 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: In regard to a review of the legislation, are all of the organisations prepared to work with other organisations in making detailed submissions in that regard, in particular with the homeless agencies and An Garda Síochána?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Aggressive Begging from a Public Order Perspective: Discussion (3 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: I thank the witnesses for their submission to the committee. It was acknowledged in the opening statements that the issue of begging is a complex one. Given that acknowledgement, why the focus on a policing solution to it? The term "aggressive begging", was mentioned. Most of the people we see begging on the streets are sitting passively in a sleeping bag with a cup in their hands....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (3 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: 106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter regarding the options available in respect of persons (details supplied) for their child being educated in their local school without discrimination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46428/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Child Poverty (3 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: 116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a proposal on a national strategic response to food poverty among school children here; if she will work with the Department for Children and Youth Affairs on the priority matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46510/14]

Health Services: Motion [Private Members] (2 Dec 2014)

Finian McGrath: I welcome this very important motion which I will be strongly supporting it as it focuses on what is really going on in the health service. I also commend my colleague, Deputy Billy Kelleher, for bringing forward this excellent motion which hits the nail on the head in respect of three very important issues with which I will deal. The Government needs to wake up, listen and look at the...