Results 101-120 of 3,829 for speaker:Lisa Chambers

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: I thank the Cathaoirleach and all those who contributed on the Order of Business. The Deputy Leader, Senator Doherty, spoke about the UN call for a ceasefire, as did many other Senators with very impassioned speeches. There is a view throughout the House that what is happening is abhorrent. There has been acknowledgement that the Government - the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Ministers -...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: I appreciate that we are speaking to the section.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: I support the amendment put forward by Senator Ruane. It is worth considering, but I understand that it will potentially be considered at a later stage. When going through the section, in particular, section 61(2) states that "Before determining policing priorities, the Authority shall consult with-----" and one of the provisions is "such other persons as the Authority considers...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: I concur with the remarks of Senator Mark Daly. There is a good process here in terms of engaging with the establishment of the priorities. I note that section 61 provides that the priorities will be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. Is there an opportunity for us to engage with those priorities or is that simply just to let us know what they are? That might be an opportunity for...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: This follows from comments yesterday when we had a discussion in the Chamber on security services. The section relates to determining the priorities for An Garda Síochána in performing its functions relating to security and security priorities. Understandably, the section is vague on what that might be because, of course, security services are sensitive. It is important that we...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: I welcome Deputy Stanton. The fact that the Bill has to state that the Minister can exclude from the copy laid before the House elements that may not be suitable to be in the public domain shows why it can be argued that the appropriate place for those services is not under An Garda Síochána. The Bill will progress and pass. Is there scope to consider at a policy level removing...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: I understand the Minister said that in 2005 the establishment of a separate national security agency was considered. In the past decade in particular, there have been many changes. Heretofore as a country we relied heavily our geography to protect us. We did not think national security was an issue for Ireland but that it was something that happened elsewhere. We did not think there were...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: If I could be of assistance I think it was the information-----

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: The Minister has a question.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: Work was done in assessing whether we needed a separate security agency and a report was done. Could we get a copy of that?

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: No problem.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: I thank the Minister and appreciate her response. I appreciate that she will circulate the report. When was that body of work conducted?Who was involved in that decision-making process such that, at this point in time, it would not be the right move for us, as a State, to move towards a separate national security agency?

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: It is in response to the Minister's response. I do not think people were generally aware of that.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: It is. It is about security priorities in the Garda Síochána.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: It is directly relevant to the section. I want to find out when that work was done, who made that decision and if there is an intention to review that decision at any point in the future. If we could get information in terms of what has been established under the Department of the Taoiseach, that would be helpful.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: With regard to the strategic plan, I note that this section lays down a process by which the plan is developed, how it is laid before the Houses and how it is consulted upon, and I have a couple of questions on that. I agree with the timeline set down. It should be done within six months and it is then submitted to the Minister and the Garda for the period of three years, which is a...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: I was finished anyway.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: I was actually about to conclude.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: I know we have been back and forth on this but the point I raised was that if there is evaluation and the objectives are not met, will further time be given or is a particular process employed after that point - almost an evaluation as to why objectives are not being met? My concern remains that the view in rural areas is that because Garda resources are at times constrained and a lot of...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Lisa Chambers: I have a brief question about the publication and implementation of the plan. A question was asked about whether the public will have access to that plan in terms of being able to view it in a particular location. How is it intended to publish that plan and will it be made available in a number of formats to take account of the fact that not everybody might be to get into the local Garda...