Results 41-60 of 987 for garda speaker:Leo Varadkar

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...reduce costs and improve access to the services people need; new climate actions, including a record budget for retrofitting and funding for microgeneration and the just transition; a significant package to better resource An Garda Síochána, help to attract new recruits and build stronger, safer communities; and a record level of investment to drive regional development and help...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Risk Assessment (4 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...training for that possibility should it ever occur. It is to be hoped it never does. Deputies Smith and Ó Murchú drew my attention to plans to merge Cavan-Monaghan and Louth into a single Garda division. I understand this is part of a general plan to have larger divisions. As part of a modern policing service, it is something that, ultimately, is a matter for the Garda...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: This is a Government that is tough on crime. It is a Government that is building stronger and safer communities. How are we doing it? We are doing it in four ways. We are increasing Garda resources. The Garda budget is €2 billion for this year, which is the highest ever, and it will be higher again for next year. Contrary to what the Deputy said, we recruited between 700 and 800...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I agree with the Deputy about garda safety. It is really important that everyone, not just our gardái, feels safe at work. That extends to members of all our uniformed services, teachers, nurses and people working in our health service, who often face the risk of violence. It is particularly the case when it comes to our gardaí. That is why the Minister, Deputy McEntee, has led...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...for Justice and I are very aware that communities all over the country, in urban and rural areas and in Dublin, Limerick and elsewhere, are affected by crime and need a decent police service. The Garda Commissioner has confirmed to the Minister for Justice that there are no plans to move any Garda members formerly appointed to specialist units as part of the reintroduction of the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...energy and fuel bills. There will be a focus on child poverty and child well-being, as I said earlier. There will be help for business and farmers. In addition, there will be funding for the Garda and law order. That will benefit everyone, all 5.3 million of us.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...date. Representation by barristers varies across court jurisdiction and law type and it is not possible for the Courts Service to tell us how many cases may be impacted today. With regard to the Garda overtime ban, which is occurring this Tuesday, next Tuesday and the Tuesday after, it is important to say that it relates to voluntary overtime. The Garda Commissioner assures us that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I want to say once again that the Government supports the Garda and the essential work it does in keeping our communities safe and in keeping us safe. The Garda has a budget of more than €2 billion this year, the highest ever, being invested in pay, equipment and buildings. We anticipate between 700 and 800 new recruits this year in addition to 400 Garda staff. We also understand...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I largely agree with what the Deputy said earlier. We all want this dispute to be resolved. We all want a roster that works for citizens to make sure that gardaí are available when we need them, and also one that reflects the need to recruit and retain gardaí. This means a roster that recognises the need for work-life balance and the caring and family responsibilities. Disputes...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I want to join everyone in this House in thanking and commending the members of the joint task force, including An Garda Síochána, Revenue, the customs service and the Naval Service, which in co-operation with the Air Corps and the Army Ranger Wing successfully intercepted a major shipment of controlled drugs at sea yesterday in very challenging conditions. The...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. At the outset I want to say that I support the gardaí and the work they are doing. In particular today, I want to commend the phenomenal work done by An Garda, the Defence Forces, the Revenue Commissioners and the customs service in interdicting a vessel off Wexford which may be the biggest interdiction of illegal drugs in Irish history. That would not...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (26 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...being piloted in a number of areas. Once that is done, there will be a review. The Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, might be able to inform the Deputy a bit more about how that is going. On the Garda roster, all of us can understand why the Covid roster is attractive. It is four days on and four days off, and there is also annual leave and public holidays. It is a very...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...are addicted to different substances than would have been the case in the past, and polydrug use is a much bigger issue as well. I think we will see that there is a very strong response from the Garda, our Naval Service and others, which is evident off the coast of Wexford today.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jul 2023)

Leo Varadkar: .... It is worrying to see the number of injuries and fatalities happening on our roads. I will certainly speak to the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Garda Commissioner about that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Jul 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...out. The judge's view is that the facts about the circumstances of Shane's sad death are clear - they are clear from the original trial and the eye-witness accounts and there has also been a Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, investigation - and that a further investigation or inquiry would likely result in the same outcome, which would be very hard for the family as well.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Jul 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...the next chapter in their lives. Our thoughts and condolences are with them. The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance through the embassy in Athens and two members of An Garda Síochána have been sent to Greece to provide assistance. We will assist the families in any way that we can. Deputy Cairns raised the issue of extending free GP care. This...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Child Poverty (28 Jun 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...for the Government. It is a very valuable study, which, as the authors point out, is not a prevalence study, but a qualitative study drawing on 21 interviews with practitioners as well as consultations with staff in the Garda and Tusla. It does not seek to quantify the extent to which this occurs in Ireland. The authors suggest that the research should be understood as a scoping...

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

Leo Varadkar: ...At the weekend, I attended Street Feast in Dublin 8. It happened all over Dublin city - 400 places around the country - where people were encouraged to have a street party on their own street. An Garda Síochána closed off the street and residents organised small events. It was a great chance for people to meet neighbours, something we do not do in the same way as we used to in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (27 Jun 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...is also centrally involved in implementation of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, which is the most substantive work of reform ever undertaken with respect to An Garda Síochána. The work is overseen by a dedicated programme office in the Department of the Taoiseach and has now entered the final consolidation phase, with many substantive reforms...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Engagement with An Taoiseach (22 Jun 2023)

Leo Varadkar: ...I am very open to additional resources and additional ideas that would come from the commission. I want to be across any proposals the commission may have in that regard. When it comes to where gardaí are deployed, as members are aware, it is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and should be for lots of very good reasons. We have an open conversation with the Garda Commissioner on...