Results 161-180 of 11,589 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have answered that already. I said we have fully transposed the Council decision. It is part of Irish law. We fully transposed it. There are no further steps for Ireland to take. However, I believe we all have a responsibility to ensure we challenge hate speech. Irrespective of whether it is challenged in the courts or by the Garda, we have a responsibility to challenge it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: No, but I will give the Deputy an overview of why that is the answer. I am fairly satisfied that Ireland has transposed the European Council framework decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia in a manner appropriate and tailored to the domestic system of law in Ireland. I assure Members of the House that Ireland's position has been communicated to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Prison Service (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy recognises our population is increasing at such a rate it is inevitable we are going to have to increase the number of prison units available. Last year our population increased by 98,000 and this year it is probably going to somewhere similar. When the population increases we expect there is going to be an increase in the prison population as well because there is going to be an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for her question. As colleagues are aware, the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau operates See Something, Say Something. It is an initiative that uses a text messaging system to allow members of the public to alert the Garda to any issue that might be of concern. It is a very positive development. Technology can be used very effectively for the purpose of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy. I certainly think this is the type of initiative local community safety partnerships should be considering. As she will be aware, they are being rolled out. I approved the membership of a whole series of them over a week ago and I want to see those local community safety partnerships up and running in communities as quickly as possible. The type of technology we are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will certainly speak to the Garda Commissioner in respect of it. I am aware of the point the Deputy makes about community gardaí. Obviously this type of technology is no replacement for them, but it is of great assistance to them and complements the work being done by them. I assure the Deputy that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Deputy Cleere and the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree with Deputy Aird. Courthouses can have a positive impact on a town or city. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle will know the impact a new courthouse can have on a city like Kilkenny. They attract people who come as witnesses and members of the legal profession. There is a buzz around a town in which there is a busy courthouse. I appreciate the economic benefits of a vibrant courthouse...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree with the Deputy. We need to develop a situation where prison officers are not used frequently throughout the day for the purpose of transporting prisoners from prisons to courts. I will bring forward legislation later this year, in the form of a miscellaneous provisions Bill, in which we will seek to give effect to that for many more remote hearings. People can have their hearings...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Prison Service (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Our population has risen significantly over the past 20 years but our prison capacity has not risen on a corresponding basis. There is a requirement to ensure that we have more prison spaces. This does not mean that I or the Government believe the solution to all antisocial or criminal behaviour is incarceration. We recognise, however, that prisons need a greater number of spaces because...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Prison Service (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree with the Deputy. There are certain types of offenders who have been convicted and who require incarceration. The justice system has directed that they be incarcerated, and the Irish Prison Service does not have an option. It must take in people on whom the courts have imposed custodial sentences. Since I became Minister, I have visited seven prisons. I am extremely impressed...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for his question about the courthouse in Portlaoise. At the outset, in the area of provision of funding and services for the courts, it is important to note we secured an increase of €11 million, or 8.3%, in funding, for day-to-day court operations and the development of services in budget 2026. As the Deputy will also be aware, the Government is supporting...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree that many efficiencies could be introduced into the system. I am trying to urge those efficiencies at present. For instance, if people are vetted to train a hurling team, why can they not rely on that vetting when they come to coach a soccer team a year later? We need to ensure that those sensible efficiencies are permissible in the system. I know there are issues in respect of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy is right to urge that the process be sped up. Irrespective of any changes that are introduced to the process, it must operate faster. It is unfair that people who are seeking jobs or seeking to be vetted for sporting or recreational purposes must wait for lengthy periods. The Deputy is also correct to identify that this is progressing quite slowly. The report was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy Callaghan for her question. She has identified an area of our national security and national defence that needs to be accentuated and taken much more seriously in light of recent developments in the world. A number of weeks ago, we saw cyberattacks on airports throughout Europe. It had a bit of an impact on Ireland, but what they are indicative of is that cybersecurity is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It does have the same ambition. It is important to note that we do not try to divide up Ireland's protections into different spheres, whether it is the Defence Forces or what comes within the ambit of the Department of justice. Huge collaboration is ongoing across Government. At present, my Department is engaging with key stakeholders, including the Departments of foreign affairs, Defence...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In fairness, I think this Government is the first to set up a national security committee that meets frequently in respect of security issues affecting the State. There is collaboration across Government. There is a recognition that, when it comes to national security and protecting ourselves from cyber threats, there has to be an aligned, agreed response from the State. I would not like...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy. I am aware of the concerns people have in respect of delays in Garda vetting. It is important to emphasise at the outset that the primary purpose of vetting carried out by An Garda Síochána under the national vetting bureau Acts is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. Many organisations nationwide whose work focuses on the safety, enjoyment...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legal Aid (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am aware of the minority and majority reports. In many respects, it is beneficial to have two reports. Being realistic, though, my best chance of implementing recommendations is to implement those in the majority report. The Deputy has identified an important area. The area of family law and domestic violence which requires civil orders to be granted is one where it is hard to get other...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legal Aid (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Due to the limitations on resources, I do not think I could find myself in a situation where I would just abolish thresholds. In terms of having different thresholds for family law cases and domestic violence cases, applications to the scheme at present predominantly arise in respect of international protection advice being sought and, indeed, family law advice. Those are the two big...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Family Law Cases (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The primary principle must be that justice should be administered in public. However, there are exceptions to it. The in camera rule is one of them, which applies generally in family law proceedings. As the Deputy knows, it does not preclude newspapers or journalists attending in courts where family law disputes are being heard, but it does preclude them from publishing the identities of...