Results 101-120 of 215 for garda speaker:Martin Conway

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Recent Controversies Concerning An Garda Síochána (30 Mar 2017)

Martin Conway: ...that this is being orchestrated by a smaller group rather than being systematic. Does the Commissioner have any concern that statistics for complaints made by members of the public against An Garda Síochána have been altered or changed in any way to make the force look better and that there are fewer complaints recorded than have actually been lodged? When did the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Recent Controversies Concerning An Garda Síochána (30 Mar 2017)

Martin Conway: Members of the public may make a complaint to a Garda station as they are unaware of the technicalities of how to lodge a complaint. Are any records kept of the number of people who contact the Garda initially, either by phone or letter, with a complaint and are subsequently referred on to GSOC?

Seanad: An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Martin Conway: I have got a sense from the people who have spoken in this House so far that they support what the Minister is doing to reform An Garda Síochána, which is right. Since the Tánaiste took over as Minister for Justice and Equality in 2014, it is clearly and plainly obvious to anybody that she put structures in place to ensure that we will have a fit for purpose, proper,...

Seanad: An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Martin Conway: ...tired of listening to Members who on the one hand look for one thing and on the other hand look for something else, when the appropriate and correct thing to do was at that time to close certain Garda stations and invest in upgrading ICT and Garda vehicles

Seanad: An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Martin Conway: There is no doubt about it whatsoever there is a fundamental job of work to be done with the Garda to ensure the public has confidence in the force and to ensure there is appropriate open and transparent methods of auditing. That is where we should focus our attention. I wish the Minister for Justice and Equality well in the work she is doing in that regard.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Penal Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Mar 2017)

Martin Conway: ...role for them? Is there something better they could do? My next comment is on the whole structure of whistleblowing within the structures of the Prison Service. Based on what is going on in An Garda Síochána, I presume the Prison Service has an established protocol for whistleblowers who have concerns about, for example, what Deputy Wallace was saying about bullying. If...

Seanad: Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: ...I would have a certain amount of sympathy with Senator Clifford-Lee's criticism of previous Governments, there were people within government who were not silent on the whole issue of Sergeant McCabe, Garda John Wilson and others and I was one of those people. I raised it in this House in 2013 and 2014 and many times after that. I also spoke at parliamentary party meetings on the issue....

Seanad: Commission of Investigation relating to disclosures by members of An Garda Síochána: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: ...through significant reforms and bringing credibility back to the Department and all the policing services. We now have a Policing Authority which only last week introduced a code of ethics for An Garda Síochána. All these moves re-establish credibility in the justice system, including the Department of Justice and Equality, and must be welcomed. The work the Minister has done...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments and Threatened Industrial Action by An Garda Síochána: Statements (12 Oct 2016)

Martin Conway: ...of whom are coming out of retirement to do the State further service. It shows the calibre of the people who served on the benches of the country over the years. On the difficulties faced regarding the Garda Síochána, I call on all parties to continue engagement. The rank and file members of the Garda Síochána do not want to go on strike. They do not want any...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Priorities for An Garda Síochána: Garda Commissioner (12 Oct 2016)

Martin Conway: .... She is leading an operation which is in change mode. It is interesting that the survey that put confidence above 85% happened within the first 12 months of the Commissioner taking charge of the Garda Síochána. I have observed the Commissioner, and the decency with which she goes about her business and her personal work ethic is a fantastic example to the Garda...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2016)

Martin Conway: ...and wonderful human being. At a later date, perhaps we could have a debate on the work the 3,000 volunteers of the Irish Coast Guard do. The Coast Guard is our fourth emergency responder after the Garda, ambulance and fire service. In memory of Caitriona Lucas, and the wonderful work she did and the fact that she laid down her life in the service of the State, we must consider giving...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Policing Authority: Discussion (28 Sep 2016)

Martin Conway: ...the policing plan? Can the authority say it is not happy with the policing plan and tell the Commissioner to go away and come back with a completely new one? At which point does the management of An Garda Síochána have autonomy? Does the authority have complete control over the policing plan? I am interested in that bit of information. The move for absolute openness and...

Seanad: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training: Motion (19 Jul 2016)

Martin Conway: ..., we are still in the early stages of a new Government that took a protracted period to be put together. I do not doubt that, once we re-engage with the process, we will do so fully and bring the Garda's wonderful skills to the fore, particularly in mediation, diplomacy and so forth. Our specialist gardaí will benefit significantly from the exchange of knowledge and the development...

Seanad: Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Martin Conway: ...streets of this city and in inflicting pain and suffering on people throughout the country. This Government, however, is determined to defeat them. Since coming into office, it has increased the budget to An Garda Síochána by €55 million. This increased investment will continue. The Government is committed to investing in high-powered vehicles to catch criminals and...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (3 Feb 2016)

Martin Conway: .... We have all dealt with people over the years who might have committed a minor offence in their teenage years and that has come back to haunt them later in life, especially in the context of the Garda vetting system. It is desperate that some people who have a small offence on their record find themselves unable to get into the United States and so forth. The legislation is welcome in...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Martin Conway: ...better and to make citizens feel safe in their homes. It is very poignant and worth noting that a Behaviour & Attitudes survey done in 2014 found only 67% of Irish people had confidence in An Garda Síochána, but a survey carried out in the past two or three months has shown the figure is now up to 87%. This is worth noting, and the newly-appointed Commissioner,...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015: Second Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Martin Conway: ..., particularly in County Tipperary where the Senator is based and where there has been a spate of crime. Criminal gangs are operating and take full advantage of the motorway network to target certain areas. I commend An Garda Síochána for its recent successes in investigating these crimes. The Bill is necessary. Members of the public cannot understand the notion of sentences...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2015)

Martin Conway: ...for the next week or so. This House has conducted itself very professionally and well in looking after legislation and doing the right thing by the citizens of this country. I also commend An Garda Síochána, the Garda Commissioner and superintendents around the country for their initiatives to help alleviate much of the unfounded concerns of members of the public regarding the...

Seanad: Charities and Voluntary Organisations: Statements (8 Dec 2015)

Martin Conway: ...structures, training or expertise to be used to full advantage in the areas in which they are engaged. What the SOLA project has already achieved in this regard is phenomenal. One person has completed a PhD on the Garda vetting process. The recommendations made in their thesis could be used to advise on how the Garda vetting process could be improved to ensure it will achieve what it...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2015)

Martin Conway: ...and deliberating on such matters and I support Senator O'Brien's proposal in this regard. As the Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on justice, I wholeheartedly agree with everything Senator O'Donovan said about the Garda leak that caused the headlines we all saw last Wednesday and Thursday. It is shameful that a person's good name would be undermined when that individual has not even been...