Results 1-20 of 230 for garda speaker:Thomas Byrne

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Deployment (30 Jan 2019)

Thomas Byrne: The population of County Meath has increased rapidly compared to other counties. In addition, it started from a low base in respect of Garda numbers. An issue of concern is that the number of Garda reservists has dropped significantly from 20 to 16 and there are now 13. Although some may have become full-time members of An Garda Síochána and I am delighted if they have, a...

Garda Stations. (2 Apr 2009)

Thomas Byrne: I was prompted to raise the issue of Garda stations in County Meath by a petition some constituents from Dunboyne sent to me. It is not the first time I have raised the issue of Garda resources in my constituency in response to a petition. I acknowledge the great work gardaí do day to day in my constituency in the fight against crime and dealing with serious accidents. There was a serious...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Deployment (8 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: ...for the Minister for Justice and Equality not to come in when there is a serious issue of crime and criminality in my constituency which is not being addressed with the proper resources for An Garda Síochána. I have tabled this particular Topical Issue with regard to Stamullen and Gormanston where there has been a wave of crime and anti-social behaviour in the last number of...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2015)

Thomas Byrne: Crime is a constant worry in all communities and we need a general debate on the issue in the Seanad. Obviously, we must seek more resources for the Garda and look at how the force carries out its business. In my county of Meath, at the start of the Government's term, the Garda Commissioner, for their own reasons, decided to merge two Garda districts. The Garda district of east Meath which...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (11 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. The Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014 is important legislation, but we must not over-egg the pudding. This is the first step in expanding the remit and powers of GSOC. I am a supporter of An Garda Síochána, as is every citizen. It deserves our support and does very good work...

Seanad: Confidence in Minister for Justice and Equality and Defence: Motion (27 Feb 2013)

Thomas Byrne: ...Seanad Éireann has no confidence in the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter T.D., because of his on-going erosion of the physical security infrastructure of the State through Garda station and Army Barrack closures, systematic undermining of Garda numbers and resources with a deeply inadequate budget allocation and abject failure to address the declining morale in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (25 May 2016)

Thomas Byrne: 74. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda members and Garda Reserve members assigned to the Meath Garda division in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11960/16]

Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)

Thomas Byrne: .... There may not always be a proper reason for it, although the fear is justifiable in the case I have mentioned. In general, there is no question that there is much good news on the justice and Garda front. We have a record number of gardaí in the country, which is an unquestionable achievement. Closed circuit television systems are being rolled out and it is about to be introduced to...

Tackling Crime: Statements (Resumed) (3 Oct 2007)

Thomas Byrne: ...said, however, that is no consolation to those who are affected by crime, especially serious crime. A particular problem in my constituency and other areas of expanding population is the lack of gardaí, which leads to a fear of crime. While the adage that we have nothing to fear but fear itself applies, it is also true that fear itself is problematic. People are rightly afraid in their...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (22 Jun 2010)

Thomas Byrne: Question 305: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position with regard to the forthcoming Garda recruitment drive; the age limits that will be in place; if current age limits on serving members of the Garda Reserve who wish to become gardaí will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26802/10]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Deployment (30 Jan 2019)

Thomas Byrne: I am grateful to the Minister for his reply. He stated that 73 new gardaí have been assigned to the Meath division and I accept that. However, although any increase is welcome, the overall increase in the number of gardaí is approximately 29. While the Garda Commissioner may have allocated 73 gardaí to Meath, approximately 40 to 50 gardaí retired from the division....

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Crime Prevention (14 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: ...; it is based on statistics. According to the annualised totals in the Central Statistics Office, CSO, report, burglaries increased by 10% in the year to the end of the second quarter. In the Garda eastern region, they have increased by 24%, which is a frightening statistic, and I am not convinced every burglary is being reported to the Garda because, in some cases, people feel nothing...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (5 Jul 2018)

Thomas Byrne: ...for the Minister to respond by taking a potshot at me. What I will say is that the confidence and supply agreement ensures that this Government, which has been in power since 2011, will increase Garda numbers. That is a key point in the agreement. This is not simply about increasing Garda numbers but about making a decision in Garda headquarters, influenced by the Minister for Justice...

Reform of Structures of Government: Motion (Resumed) (10 Nov 2010)

Thomas Byrne: ...obligation to carry out such work. I wish to highlight one aspect of the Labour Party's motion. I refer to the proposed extension of the remit of the Freedom of Information Act to the Garda Síochána. The motion does not really qualify what is meant in this regard. I wish to lay down a marker by expressing my absolute opposition to the extension of the remit of that Act to the workings...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (5 Jul 2018)

Thomas Byrne: County Meath needs significantly more resources because we are vastly under-resourced in terms of Garda man and woman power when compared with other areas that are very close to us. In particular, I refer to County Westmeath which has a similar profile to Meath. It has a much lower population and a similar number of gardaí, which is not fair. There are also other issues with Garda...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Drugs Crime (9 May 2019)

Thomas Byrne: I attended a protest held in Drogheda last Saturday. There is a sense of fear in Drogheda and east Meath of what might happen next. Although the Garda resources that are being allocated to Drogheda are welcome, new gardaí should receive appropriate mentoring and training to deal with this situation. I wish also to draw the attention of the Minister to the situation in east Meath...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Garda Deployment (2 Apr 2015)

Thomas Byrne: ...fear and apprehension about the surge in the number of burglaries of premises and robberies that have taken place.In this year alone, 15 burglaries of houses and offices have been reported to the Garda Síochána and I am certain the number is higher. One was reported in January, one in February and 13 reported in March. This week alone there was a particular surge. The local...

Seanad: Garda Districts (3 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister of State said that of the 296 gardaí in County Meath, 109 are in the Ashbourne-Laytown district. That means that this district has 50% more gardaí than each of the three districts on average. It shows that the breaking down of the districts in County Meath was not done on a population basis. That is a root cause of the problem. I join the Minister in paying tribute to the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Garda Deployment (2 Apr 2015)

Thomas Byrne: I ask the Minister of State to inform the Minister of the details of the situation in County Meath. The Garda division based in Ashbourne covers the area from the Kilcock bridge on the Meath-Kildare border up to the outskirts of Drogheda, across to Laytown, including Stamullen and Duleek and almost over to Navan and including the Rathfeigh area. It also includes the busy N2 road which is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Drugs Crime (9 May 2019)

Thomas Byrne: I again pay tribute to the Garda. The Minister appeared to take exception about Drogheda, but he should know that a significant part of the town is covered by the Ashbourne Garda district and a significant number of the criminals involved in this feud live in east Meath. It is a matter of serious concern for me, and I appreciate that it is a serious concern for the Minister as well. I am...