Results 14,201-14,220 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Tackling serious crime, including drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs, are key priorities for the Government. As he will be aware, there is strong ongoing co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI. The cross-Border joint agency task force, JATF, was established under the 2015...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy knows the history of the site. As I said, An Garda Síochána has invested and continues to invest significant funding in refurbishing the Garda station in Sligo. This includes the provision of new locker facilities and the complete upgrade of the three floors in the building, including the public office. Further upgrade works are under way, including the provision of a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy should listen to the answer when I am giving it to him but he is not listening to me.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The fact is that the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for Garda accommodation. We provide the budget of almost €2 billion to An Garda Síochána and it is up to the Commissioner to decide the various investments and priorities across the country. On this Garda station, a site was bought and it was decided not to move there. Instead, the existing building is being...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy mentioned the proposed policing, security and community safety Bill, which will be subject to further consideration by the Oireachtas. It will strengthen and reform the oversight and accountability of An Garda Síochána. Some of the proposed reforms include moving to a single ombudsman model; granting a separate Vote for the ombudsman; having an expanded remit to include...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I said in my initial answer that GSOC has the power to bring criminal charges against members of An Garda Síochána following the outcome of its investigations, where GSOC deems this to be the appropriate course of action. These are powers that are not available to other forms of independent statutory inquiries such as a commission of investigation or a tribunal of inquiry. With...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As he will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the Garda estate. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters. The Deputy will also be aware the Office of Public Works, OPW, has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Any inappropriate cancellation of 999 calls is a serious issue. This falls significantly below the high standards that the public expect from the Garda and the high standards that An Garda Síochána sets for itself. I am particularly concerned that anyone experiencing domestic abuse, and, indeed, anyone in a vulnerable position who summoned the courage to seek assistance may not...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I will outline a few facts for the Deputy. In February, the then Minister, Deputy McEntee, asked the Policing Authority to examine these issues, to oversee the Garda review and then to report back to her. It is welcome that this issue is being examined by the independent Policing Authority. The work being done by that body consistently, every month, is exactly why we have robust,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can understand the Deputy’s frustration regarding the cancellation of the 999 calls, but I do not agree with some of the statements he has made. He will be aware that this issue was initially identified within An Garda Síochána last October as part of its internal processes. An Garda Síochána wrote to the Secretary General of my Department, on 4 December 2020,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. GSOC is the body specifically established, designed and equipped to investigate complaints of alleged criminality or misconduct by members of An Garda Síochána. I assure the Deputy that GSOC has extensive powers under the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to perform this function. If GSOC believes a suspected criminal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will appreciate, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation. This includes the deployment of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. I am informed by Garda management that, as at 2 July...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The rollout of community CCTV schemes across the country has benefitted many communities, helping people to feel safer in their local areas. It is a priority of mine to ensure that community groups continue to be supported in their valued contributions to managing their local CCTV schemes whilst ensuring sufficient, proportionate oversight of statutory data protection obligations. Since...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.88 billion in 2020 and of €1.952 billion in 2021. This has enabled sustained ongoing recruitment into the organisation. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The rollout of community CCTV schemes across the country has benefitted many communities, helping people to feel safer in their local areas. It is a priority of mine to ensure that community groups continue to be supported in their valued contributions to their local CCTV schemes whilst ensuring sufficient, proportionate oversight of statutory data protection considerations. Since 2017,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 116, 123 and 135 together. Any inappropriate cancellation of 999 calls is a very serious issue. This falls significantly below the high standards that the public expect from the Gardaí and the high standards that An Garda Síochána set for themselves. I am particularly concerned that anyone experiencing domestic abuse, and indeed anyone in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I would like to restate my deepest sympathies to all those impacted by the tragic event in Hartstown last December, and in particular to the family of George Nkencho. As the Deputy is aware, and as is the case in every incident involving the Gardaí that results in the death of a person, the shooting is being fully and independently investigated by the Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Garda Strategy Statement 2022- 2024 will set out An Garda Síochána’s long-term operational priorities, as well as the key focus areas within the organisation, framed by the actions contained in A Policing Service for our Future, the Government's implementation plan for the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. I am informed that An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 127 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an independent oversight body under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. I, as Minister, have no role or function in the processing or management of complaints which are made to GSOC for investigation. The Deputy may wish to note that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (8 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can assure the Deputy that tackling serious crime, including drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs, are key priorities for the Government. As the Deputy is aware, there is strong ongoing cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The cross-border Joint Agency Task Force (JATF) was established under the 2015 Fresh Start...