Results 11,021-11,040 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Discretionary Medical Cards: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: That was Bertie.

Discretionary Medical Cards: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: Hear, hear.

Discretionary Medical Cards: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on this very urgent and important motion. I support the many people who need medical cards as a matter of medical priority. Any society or state that does not look after its sick, elderly and disabled is one without compassion and a sense of social justice. They are required in this debate. It is time for tough decisions to ensure...

Establishment of Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Motion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Leas Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity of speaking in this urgent debate on certain aspects of the banking crisis. For many years I have made my views on this issue known, nationally and locally, so I have ruled myself out of the proposed banking inquiry. I have major concerns about this inquiry, that it will become too political and not deal with the real issues, the causes,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: Mr. Olson said in his submission that the inspectorate had encountered some problems in regard to provision of information from An Garda Síochána. What kind of problems?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: Mention was made in the submission of the protocols established with An Garda Síochána, such as the provision by the inspectorate of advance notice when visiting Garda locations. Looking at this objectively, I see the requirement to give notice of a visit to a Garda station as not allowing for an objective and independent assessment, as the provision of notice allows people to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: I would like to move on now to question Mr. Redmond and Mr. Galvin. In regard to the experience of whistleblowing over the past number of years, did the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors advise or support any of the whistleblowers regarding their concerns or the issues raised?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: The reason I asked the question was that many Deputies have been hearing the opposite. They have heard there was significant hostility from the association's members towards these people.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: I know. I understand about the individual aspect and respect that. I have talked to colleagues from all parties about this and it appears that over the past couple of weeks some members of the association and others have been trying to damage the integrity of the two whistleblowers. That is not just hearsay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: I have a grave concern about this, because I thought the association's job would be to protect and defend the whistleblowers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: Earlier, Mr. Redmond spoke about the proposed Garda authority and said there was a cause for concern. One of my colleagues mentioned the proposed make-up of the authority. Would the AGSI have any concerns about civil society groups being involved in that authority?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: I have a final question for Dr. O'Flaherty. Is it his view that some sections within the Garda Síochána were hostile to certain sectors of society? He mentioned poor, disadvantaged and deprived areas and also a young child with a disability. Does he feel the Garda needs to up its game in regard to respecting certain sections of society and does it need to do more to make itself...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: What about the boy with special needs?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: Is there a designated person in a Garda station to deal with a child with special needs or a person with a disability, or is there such a person within the force for every Garda station?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: Would there be one person with training like that on duty in most Garda stations?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: That sounds as if it could solve Dr. O'Flaherty's problem.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: We should stress that line today, because people who ask the hard questions of the Garda are often portrayed as anti-Garda. I totally concur with Dr. O'Flaherty's comments. I had a brother who was in the AGSI for 30 years, so I know all about it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: I have a few short questions. I welcome the representatives and thank them for their submissions. I wish to refer to an issue raised by Mr. Mark Toland who referred to the authority in Scotland. Some of my colleagues sought examples of good practice. He also mentioned the London authority. What is his experience of the London authority? Was it a system that worked well compared to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: Just in general.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (14 May 2014)

Finian McGrath: On the accountability question, did Mr. Toland regard it as fairly effective?