Results 1,101-1,120 of 7,404 for speaker:Mick Wallace

Other Questions: Garda Strength (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: The Minister said his priority is to make sure the Garda is adequately resourced. Gorey was downgraded, which was madness as it is one of the fastest growing regions in the country. The Minister also said the Minister for Justice and Equality should not interfere with the Commissioner but if the Commissioner is not responsible to the Minister who in God's name is he or she accountable...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: I thank the witnesses for attending. It has been informative. We have been monitoring the inspectorate's work for a number of years and have always been impressed by what it does. We are also probably as frustrated as the witnesses.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: I hope the Chairman does not find me overly critical but part of our job is to hold people to account.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: We try to do that as well as we can.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: The lack of implementation in many areas must be frustrating for the inspectorate. A number of questions arise from the witnesses' contributions. The 2012 report recommended multi-agency specialist child centres to provide medical examinations, victim interviewing and therapeutic services. However, no such centres are in place. The witnesses pointed out that there are very good models...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: Does the inspectorate communicate directly with the Department of Justice and Equality in this area?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: It was stated that an electronic system was essential in this area. I am sure the inspectorate is well aware of the many failings of the PULSE system. We have been highlighting the huge sums the Garda spends on IT in return for a very poor service. The Garda does not even follow procurement guidelines. It has been a horror. Has the inspectorate an input into how this should be done in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: Mr. Toland made the point that Tusla had 17 areas while the Garda had 28, making it problematic. Has he any recommendation as to how that should be addressed or will it be resolved over time?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: On the 2,000 referrals of child abuse material sent to the Garda Síochána, the inspectorate requested an update on these cases but, despite repeated requests, 12 divisions did not submit this. Has the inspectorate the authority to name these 12 divisions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: Dr. Geoffrey Shannon told the committee he found the Garda was doing its best in this regard and performing well, despite a significant lack of training and education. The lack of training and education in all of these areas must be the largest factor, apart from funding. Is there a will there to address this deficit and change that dramatically?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: Mr. Toland said people are slow to report such cases but that is understandable as well. There is a need for general education around this area for the public. Many people do not know how to react if their child has been abused. It is an incredible challenge for them not to report for 12 months but not surprising. Is there any general effort to educate the public in this area?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: Mr. Toland made the point about the need for the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to be an independent body and not to be amalgamated into GSOC or the Policing Authority. Does Mr. Toland believe there is a threat of this happening? The witnesses are probably aware that some Members felt the setting up of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland was really just a duplication...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: I thought the witnesses were going to answer our questions today.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: We dealt with legislation related to GSOC and the Policing Authority and were very disappointed that the potential to make them more effective was not exploited. We are very much against the inspectorate being dragged down into those pits, given that it is more effective than either GSOC or the Policing Authority.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: I thank Mr. Toland.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: For Mr. Toland's information, Deputy Clare Daly and I visit prisons a good bit. On one of the first occasions on which we sought to visit Portlaoise Prison, some serious opposition was expressed in terms of what the hell those people were coming down for and the question was asked as to why the hell we were being let in. It took an intervention by the then Minister, Alan Shatter, to get us in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Inspectorate (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: No. There is huge work to be done to change the attitudes prevailing in this area. As the report stated, we think the inspectorate should be allowed to visit as it sees fit. It will be a good day when we get to that point.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Employment Rights (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: 40. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider re-evaluating the restrictions in place on the right to work of asylum seekers with regard to specific occupations in view of a Supreme Court decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22698/18]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (23 May 2018)

Mick Wallace: 43. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the system of direct provision here is in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22700/18]