Results 81-100 of 1,066 for garda speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Courts Service (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The people of County Louth know all too well the risks members of An Garda Síochána face. I had the pleasure of meeting the father of Garda Adrian Donohoe at the weekend when we had the memorial day for the 89 members of An Garda Síochána who were murdered in the line of duty and taken from their families and communities. These were attacks on democracy. When the Deputy...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Berry for this important question. The Government is committed to doing all that we can to build stronger safer communities. A key part of that has to be supporting An Garda Síochána, increasing the numbers, resourcing and equipping it properly. That is why we have given the highest allocation ever to An Garda Síochána in budget 2023 of €2.1...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The aim is to recruit 1,000 new gardaí this year. The exact net increase depends on a number of variables, such as how many people retire or resign from the Garda this year. The high-level target I have set is that by the end of this year, it will be the first year since the Covid pandemic that Garda numbers are back growing. This should be the first year that recruitment begins to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I will certainly take that away and look at it because I see the logic in what the Deputy is saying. The Garda Reserve has a very important role to play alongside growing Garda numbers, which we are now back growing with an annual recruitment campaign. Recruiting Garda staff is important. I have met many staff in Garda stations across this country in recent months. They are doing sterling...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: ...the number, nor should we tolerate their actions. There is a line between protest and the other side of that line, and they are often on the wrong side of that line. There are a number of active Garda investigations under way, which I will not comment on for obvious reasons, but I will take the opportunity to set out the laws that exist in this area. There are clear laws and clear...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I absolutely believe in democratic oversight and oversight structures with regard to An Garda Síochána and our justice system - of course, I do. However, I am also conscious that when we talk about this subject in the House, we are talking about pieces of information we see. An Garda Síochána has a helicopter view of information and of intelligence and in terms of its...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: ...to send out a very clear message and solidarity from this, the people's House, with those on the front line that it simply will not be tolerated if anybody tries to attack or assault a member of An Garda Síochána or ram their vehicle or attack any other emergency worker. I know we are united in that overall view. Regarding the broader point on prison overcrowding, I assure...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Kenny for raising the question. I very much appreciate the fact that he referenced the challenging situation gardaí can find themselves in. I want to take this opportunity to thank members of An Garda Síochána. There have been well over 125 anti-immigration protests in the city alone. Gardaí have been working in very challenging environments and I want...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Travel Documents (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: ...has fallen by approximately 17%. If a person cannot produce a valid passport, or other equivalent document, then the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau for return on the next practicable flight. If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: ...One such digitisation measure streamlines how e-vetting is initiated, on foot of which Citizenship Division has this week written to some 13,000 outstanding applicants inviting them to commence Garda vetting as part of their application. While my Department works to improve processing times, and so as enhance communication with applicants, I am pleased to say that regular quarterly...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. Since 2015, the Government has increased the budget of An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. Funding has been provided for up to 1,000 new Gardaí this year and we are seeing more Garda recruits enter...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. Since 2015, the Government has increased the budget of An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to that. Since 2015, the Government has increased the budget of An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment. The Deputy will appreciate that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Insurance Industry (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: ...range of options for investigation, prosecution and penalties on conviction, which can be considered of those making false and misleading claims. The Insurance Fraud Coordination Office was established by An Garda Síochána in July 2021My Department has completed a review of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1995 and amendments to it are included in the Courts and Civil Law...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Community safety is not just about the number of Gardaí in communities. Community safety is a whole of Government responsibility and it requires a multi-agency approach. The Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill will place statutory obligations on Departments and other public service bodies to cooperate with each other to improve community safety. It also establishes national...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. Since 2015, the Government has increased the budget of An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Mental Health Services (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: ...the learnings from this multi-disciplinary approach in order to inform further roll-out on a national level. The CAST pilot project is expected to commence in late 2023 and I am advised by the Garda Authorities that regular meetings are taking place between An Garda Síochána, the HSE and Limerick City and County Council and work to progress the pilot is advancing. All...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: ...focus on this important area of work. In addition, my Department continues to provide funding to NGOs that support victims through emotional support, court accompaniment, and accompaniment to Garda interviews, to sexual assault treatment units and referral to other services. This year, an increased budget of €5.8 million is being made available. We are also running a campaign to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: ...the incidents where tents belonging to refugees in Dublin City Centre were set on fire. I want to be perfectly clear that these scenes are totally unacceptable and will be fully investigated by An Garda Síochána. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for operational policing matters, including public order. There have been a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Established in 2006, the Garda Reserve represents a real opportunity for anyone wishing to support policing and give something back to their communities. The Reserve reinforces An Garda Síochána's essential community links, and provides capacity to draw on additional resources to assist in policing. I would like to acknowledge the important contribution made by all members of...