Results 21-40 of 987 for garda speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (28 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...governance and accountability framework set out in the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023 in the coming months. Major reforms to date include progressing the operating model for An Garda Síochána, which will enable a more visible, responsive and localised policing service to communities nationwide; recruitment of more than 3,300 Garda staff, which has resulted in...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I agree that all parts of the country need to be adequately policed and not just our city centres. We are now back up to around 14,000 Garda members. Some 700 to 800 recruits will go through the Garda College this year. There will be 800 to 1,000 next year, and we anticipate we will be up to 14,500 gardaí again by the end of 2024. When the Garda College was closed during the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: It is important that all parts of the State and all counties are adequately policed. I agree on that. We are back up to about 14,000 Garda members at the moment. We expect 700 to 800 recruits through the Garda College this year, rising to 800 to 1,000 next year. That will allow total Garda numbers to increase to 14,500 by the end of next year. We are raising the minimum age at which you...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...are exceptional events and it is my job to ensure they are exceptional and that we do not see them happening again. That is why there is, and will be, a robust response from the Government and the Garda.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Bacik has suggested an independent review by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. We will give consideration to that. It may well be a very good idea. I do not want to commit to it on the hoof on the floor of the House but I will certainly give it consideration. I thank the Deputy for her constructive remarks. She is absolutely right that accountability is required. Before...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...have been given and it is important we respect and comply with that ourselves. I had the opportunity on Sunday night to meet some of those who intervened in the attack. I was given five names by the Garda; four were able to attend, from Ireland, Brazil and France. I thanked them for what they did to stop the attack. Without it, there would have been more injuries and loss of life....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...our streets led to a riot, looting and serious criminal damage. These events were shocking and unacceptable. It was an attack on the rule of law and there is and will be a robust response from An Garda Síochána and the Government. We need to make sure that Thursday's events were exceptional and do not happen again. I want people to be and feel safe on our streets. As part...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Policies (22 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...that were made. I am not aware of them and have not seen any evidence to support them, but I encourage the Deputy to pass on any evidence he has to the relevant authorities, whether it is the Garda or whoever may be able to look into these matters. I do know there was a protected disclosure in relation to Dublin Zoo that was considered some months ago. It was found that the allegations...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...is in the Seanad. The community safety partnerships are an important innovation, on which she is really leading, and will help to make our communities both safer and stronger. I am meeting the Garda Commissioner today to discuss a number of matters and this is one of the issues on the agenda. Once I have met him, I may be able to provide more up-to-date information on how the pilots are...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Social Dialogue (21 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...services all the time. We have new paramedics, new vehicles, new basis and systems for call out, but sadly, there will always be occasions where multiple calls happen at the one time. It happens with An Garda Síochána as well. That can result in delays but it is always the most urgent calls that get prioritised, or at least that is what is supposed to happen through the triage...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...under way for several years now. Referring Israel to the International Criminal Court at this stage, when an investigation is already under way, would be akin to reporting an alleged crime to An Garda Síochána several years into an investigation. It would simply have no practical effect or practical value. Also, the Deputy's proposal is flawed because it is to refer Israel to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Commissions of Investigation (7 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...I am not familiar with the details of the case, although I am aware of it. My understanding is that decisions on whether inquests are carried out are a matter for the county coroner. If there is any issue around Garda actions, it would be best investigated by means of a complaint to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (7 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...we continue to raise the issue bilaterally and at Head of Government level and foreign minister level as well. A comprehensive review of the Belturbet bombing investigation was carried out by An Garda Síochána, which identified several lines of inquiry. A senior investigating officer was appointed last year to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...levels for life saver offences were 6% higher than they were in pre-Covid times. These offences are speeding, using mobile phones, not wearing seat belts and being intoxicated while driving. Garda authorities are saying that the number of enforcement incidences is actually higher but it is a fact that the number of people working on roads policing has gone down. This is something that I...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I neglected to recall Anthony Burke's name earlier. I pay tribute to him in particular and the fact he went to the gardaí and gave them the crucial information that enabled them to apprehend the man who carried out the terrible murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee in Sligo. I pay tribute to him and recognise An Garda Síochána and its work. What we are doing and will...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...in expressing my condolences to the family of Aidan Moffitt, a man I would have met on occasion through his involvement in Fine Gael, and the family of Michael Snee. I particularly thank the Garda for the work it has done in bringing this prosecution successfully through the courts. I also note the bravery of the man who was injured in stepping forward, testifying and giving his witness...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: Garda recruitment is ramping up and we are confident that we will recruit 700 or 800 new gardaí this year. In the next few months, the total number of gardaí will again exceed 14,000 so total numbers will be rising again and will do so again next year. How gardaí as assigned to different parts of the country, as the Deputy knows, is a decision for the Garda Commissioner...

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: .... I would have thought that with enforcement falling, fewer cases would be going to court. However, I agree that enforcement has fallen off and that needs to be improved. The number of gardaí dedicated to the road traffic corps is down on 2022 but is up on 2017. We have more gardaí dedicated to road safety than we had in 2017. We have extended the use of speed camera...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...HSE had authorisation to hire 500, and it hired 770. No public body should hire staff it does not have the authority or the budget to fund. It does not happen in schools, it does not happen in Garda stations, it does not happen in Departments and it should not happen in the health service.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...that lead to most road traffic collisions. There is getting our laws right, which is also really important. There is not much point in having laws if they are not enforced and that is why Garda enforcement is really important. That is being stepped up at the moment. We also need to make sure our courts enforce the law. There are too many loopholes in our road traffic legislation that...