Results 1,201-1,220 of 3,998 for speaker:Martin Kenny

Report on Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment: Motion [Private Members] (1 Dec 2022)

Martin Kenny: The Minister of State was not in Leitrim recently.

Report on Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment: Motion [Private Members] (1 Dec 2022)

Martin Kenny: I was up in my room listening to the debate and I had not realised this report was being debated. I have come down to make the case for something I have a lot of experience in. Many years ago I was involved in an eco-building cross-Border project in Leitrim, west Cavan and Fermanagh. We went around to see what materials we would use and how we would do it. We went to the Czech Republic...

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (30 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: Of course we support the legislation before us, recognising there has to be a system in place to ensure equalisation for people with health insurance. Very many have health insurance because they feel they have no choice, their incomes being above the threshold under which they would be eligible for a medical card. It is not that a medical card is wonderful in many cases because patients...

Drugs Policy: Motion [Private Members] (30 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: I commend Deputy Ó Ríordáin and the Labour Party on bringing forward this motion. We can all agree that there is an exceptionally serious issue with drug use and its links to organised crime throughout Ireland. Some people will seek a numbness to whatever trauma they have in their minds, and quite often the only way they can get that is through the use or misuse of drugs. ...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: I thank the Minister of State and his staff for the presentation. In the context of the total budget overrun, the Minister of State referred to "staffing pressures linked to increased prisoner numbers and escort requirements to courts and hospitals." It is one of the primary reasons for that. Some advances were made during the lockdown in Covid in having technology to be able to have fewer...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: The hospitals are mentioned in respect of that. I am conscious that a fair proportion of the prison population are people who have addiction problems and people who may even have mental health problems. There is a great emphasis and a concern - it has been expressed by practically all members of the committee - that prison is not the right place for many who are there. In that context, I...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: In regard to the numbers, it is certainly excellent to see the new service in Portrane open. Dundrum has been phased out. I am a little concerned as to the number of spaces that may be available. How many additional spaces are available now compared with what there were prior to the opening of Portrane, particularly for younger people and juveniles?

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: I will go back to the issue of recruitment and retention. It is probably the biggest issue we have at the moment. While it is welcome that 92 gardaí started yesterday, this year, the number has fallen far short of expectations. It is a disappointment, including for the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, that we have been unable to meet targets. I acknowledge the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: Retention is another serious problem. The numbers resigning quite early in their career is also a huge problem. I understand some who have technical expertise and who are trained, particularly in areas such as cybercrime, are often recruited by some of the major tech companies. It is a competitive world and that is the reality, but are efforts being made to ensure work-life balance can be...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: Elon Musk comes to mind.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: I know legislation is coming on body cameras - bodycams - and increased equipment around all that. Something I have wondered about, and there was some media about it at the weekend, is how most Garda patrol cars do not have dashcams, yet whenever an incident happens, the first thing the Garda asks for is for the public to come forward with their dashcams. I do not think it needs legislation...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: Are all the issues about CCTV cleared up? We had a lot of problems with that in different areas around the country. Are there still a few problems?

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: I reiterate Deputy Costello's comment on the number of judges. In many places throughout the country, the Circuit Court and District Court have long lists. Much of this is down to the fact there are not enough judges to be able to deal with the lists. It is as simple as this. While I appreciate the Minister of State has said a review is ongoing and will report on the exact number we need,...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: I have several items to ask about in this regard. There is a drop of €303,000 in the provision for the Parole Board. Is there a reason for this? What are the particular circumstances that occurred? I also want to ask about free legal aid. Many of the private practitioners who engage in the free legal aid service do not get the level of remuneration that they think they deserve....

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: The scheme has not been reviewed in a long time. What is the Minister of State's view and is there a plan to do so?

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: What is the Minister of State's view?

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: On victims of crime, including sexual crime and domestic abuse, I notice that funding has increased. Does that include the delivery of domestic violence refuges, under the Department of Justice, as it has a role?

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

Martin Kenny: Is there a timeframe for when the work of providing capital and running costs will be moved to the Department Justice?