Results 12,581-12,596 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: The question of representation will be dealt with in the regulations. The Garda associations are in discussion with the Minister and the regulations will be framed in light of those discussions. What was the Senator's other point?

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: Apparently not. This wording comes from the existing Garda disciplinary regulations, which do not provide for a suspension. I have to admit that I am not absolutely clear about the reasons for this. There are no plans to proceed in that direction.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: I agree with the Senator, essentially. One will be dealt with where one operates, but the final sanction is a matter for one's Chief Constable or Garda Commissioner. I take the Senator's point and I am sure the regulations will be framed with such thoughts in mind. Question put and agreed to. SECTION 6. Government amendment No. 5: In page 7 between lines 43 and 44 to insert the following new...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: I hope that the purpose of this provision is quite simple. If, for whatever reason, the secondment of a PSNI officer to the Garda Síochána either expires or is terminated, this provision allows for the disciplinary regulations and the provisions of the Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act 1986, as described in section 6(2), to continue to apply. This allows for the continuation of a...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: It means that a person can escape in such a manner, as far as I understand it. The worst sanction that can be taken against a person is that they can be dismissed from the force. If they have left the force, not only is the option of dismissal not available, but also other options, such as demotion, cannot be pursued. People who retire, with the collusion of management in many cases as...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: There is no appropriate punishment for somebody who has gone.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: We will bear that proposal in mind. In relation to the point made by Senator Tuffy, the position is that the Garda Síochána are doing the investigation here and they are the people who ultimately make the finding. The question of the imposition of sanctions is for the Chief Constable to decide. It is important that the Garda is allowed to continue with the investigation up to the point...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: Senators Maurice Hayes and Jim Walsh are correct. The agreement is already in place and we do not have the power to amend it. As I understand, there are three situations which are dealt with in the agreement. The first is lateral transfer. Those of superintendent rank can apply for a position in this country and vice versa. Second, people of ranks from inspector downwards can apply for...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: I will suggest to the Minister that the measure should be reviewed after a couple of years. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Question proposed: "That the Schedule be the Schedule to the Bill".

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: The part of the agreement relating to two police forces is based on Recommendation 128 of the Patten Commission which states: Lateral entry of experienced officers from other police forces or services, and secondments or recruitments from non-police organisations should be actively encouraged. It goes on to say: The Patten report recommended that the community balance at more senior ranks in...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: That is correct. Question put and agreed to. Title agreed to.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: I thank Senators who have contributed constructively to this very important legislation. I thank those who put down amendments. I apologise that I could not accept any of them and that two were ruled out of order, but it generated debate, throwing light on various aspects of the Bill. It was a most constructive discussion and I will be bringing away some ideas from it. I appreciate the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (8 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: I thank all Senators who have contributed to the debate on this very important legislation and thank them in particular for the welcome they have afforded the Bill and for their very constructive comments. I recognise the special position of Senator Maurice Hayes and express my appreciation of his work as a member of the Patten commission. With no disrespect to other speakers, I listened very...

Seanad: Data Protection (Amendment) Bill 2002 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (3 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: The Bill passed all Stages in the Seanad on 24 April 2002. It subsequently lapsed on the dissolution of the 28th Dáil but was restored to the Order Paper on 18 June 2002. It now returns to this House for Report Stage having been amended in the Dáil. I propose to outline briefly the aim and content of the changes made, some of which take account of concerns raised in this House. For ease of...

Seanad: Data Protection (Amendment) Bill 2002 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (3 Apr 2003)

Willie O'Dea: I thank Senators for their contributions both today and in our earlier discussions. Senator Brian Hayes raised a number of points, first regarding the fact that the directive dates from 1998, and that only now in 2003 are we implementing the legislation. I agree with his point and plead in defence that a general election occurred in between. That accounts for some of the delay but does not...

Seanad: Recognition of Domestic Partnerships: Motion. (16 Oct 2002)

Willie O'Dea: I thank Senators Norris, O'Toole, Henry and Ross for taking the initiative in tabling their motion because it gives the House an opportunity to debate this important issue. As we know, the family based on marriage was overwhelmingly the norm in Irish society for many generations. However, this has been greatly affected by changing social trends in recent years. Specifically, we have seen a...