Results 1-9 of 9 for defence forces strength speaker:Niall Collins

Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015: Second Stage (1 Oct 2015)

Niall Collins: ...on the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 placed a cap on the number of Garda reserves we can have as a complement to the total force. We need to look at that. I believe we have about 1,100 Garda reserves. I know many people who want to be Garda reserves and are willing to give of their time to serve...

Topical Issue Debate: Crime Levels (25 Mar 2015)

Niall Collins: .... If we are to take anything from this debate today, it ought to be that there should be a stepping up in recruitment. Three hundred new recruits will not fill the gap but only increase the strength from 12,799 to above 13,000. Some 1,498 members of An Garda Síochána can retire today. What drives people mad is that over the years of the moratorium, which the Government...

Guerin Report: Statements (15 May 2014)

Niall Collins: ...as possible. That is something I and my party have called for and we welcome that recommendation. In the meantime, changes within the administrative systems should start immediately. Morale in the Garda force needs to be improved while confidence in the justice system is reinstated. The Guerin report was established to review the allegations made by Sergeant Maurice McCabe and the...

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality: Motion [Private Members] (28 May 2013)

Niall Collins: ...to gain a quick and cheap political advantage. Under the Minister we have seen 140 Garda stations lying idle in unprotected communities throughout the country. We have seen a poorly resourced Garda force hovering above 13,000 hit with additional budget cuts in the midst of an unprecedented morale crisis. We have a Judiciary so alienated by the Minister that the Chief Justice had to...

An Garda Síochána: Motion [Private Members] (29 Jan 2013)

Niall Collins: ...clinics will be held. There is no policing or financial argument to back up what the Minister is doing in removing the deterrent that a Garda station represents in every community. With regard to Garda strength, I have asked the Minister on many occasions to nail his colours to the mast. He says he will reduce the number of members of the force to 13,000. We heard two weeks ago that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Gangland Killings (11 Dec 2012)

Niall Collins: When the Garda Commissioner appeared before the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality recently, as the Minister will be aware, he outlined up to 25 criminal organisations operating in the State which are part of an organised crime network and gangland activities. It is mind-boggling to think that up to €860 million is being lost to the Exchequer by way of the illegal tobacco...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2012
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (27 Nov 2012)

Niall Collins: ...to the Minister. I am sure the Minister is well aware of the reports from around the country in respect of the impact of the new Garda roster on court sittings. In that context, members of the force are not attending in court to give evidence in cases where prosecutions are being brought. Cases are subsequently being thrown out or are just not proceeding, for whatever reason. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Operations: Discussion with An Garda Síochána (21 Nov 2012)

Niall Collins: I want to ask a couple of questions on community policing. The issue of the personnel resource available to the Commissioner directly affects community policing. Some time ago Garda strength was approximately 14,500, but as of June 2012 the latest official figure was 13,500. Allied to that is the embargo on recruitment into and training in the force. What is the optimum number for the...

Defence Forces Reserve (26 Oct 2011)

Niall Collins: Question 9: To ask the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Force; his plans for the strength of the RDF over the next year; the status of the value for money review of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31334/11]