Results 81-100 of 230 for garda speaker:Thomas Byrne

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: Standards of Care in Residential Care Homes: Statements (10 Dec 2014)

Thomas Byrne: ...the Department or to the HSE. That information could be critical, dignity saving or even life saving. I would also like the Minister of State to come back in due course and give us an update on the Garda investigation into the activities at Swinford. If an assault were to take place outside the House today, those involved would be arrested immediately and rightly so. The same should...

Seanad: Joint Policing Committees: Motion (15 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I support our amendment to this motion, which is important. It is a pity the Government motion does not recognise the problems in the Garda force and in the justice system at present. There is a great a lack of morale and great difficulties. Crime rates are increasing. Members of the public do not have any confidence in the crime rates because some people are afraid to report crimes and...

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Was there some chopping and changing in respect of An Garda Síochána?

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motion (19 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: ...it, as I have said. Part of this debate today is that we must send a message from the Houses that we are united on the prosecution of these offences. I also appeal to the Government to consider Garda resources. Garda numbers are falling in many stations and we do not have a dedicated gun crime unit in west Dublin. While the legislation is crucial, we must look at the resourcing of An...

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: ..., is a vital legislative tool in the battle against dissident Republican groups engaged in terrorism. The legislation is so serious and punitive it must be renewed every year, on the advice of the Garda Síochána, and that advice must be taken seriously by all in elected office. Those people who choose to oppose that advice or not to renew the legislative provisions of the...

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: This streak has been in evidence in the decision being made on membership of the banking inquiry and in the case of the former Garda Commissioner. The Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, has accused the Taoiseach of illegality in the latter matter. Labour Party Senators are determined to stand behind the Government and remain in coalition despite a serious allegation being made by a...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2014)

Thomas Byrne: ...to the conduct of a Government Department at this time. That makes it a very serious issue. The Mahon tribunal was mainly concerned with local authorities, while the Morris tribunal dealt with the Garda Síochána in a previous era, but this one goes right up to today. The difficulty is that under the Commissions of Investigation Act, a specified Minister must be appointed who...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Thomas Byrne: As we know, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is statutorily independent in the performance of its functions. Today, however, the Minister has repeatedly questioned its decision-making. He referred to his heightened concern about the decisions it made in this matter. We have heard that the Taoiseach asked the GSOC to level with the Minister. The Minister said the decision...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I have not mentioned Garda misconduct in my question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Thomas Byrne: ...I raise something that has been raised before, I urge the Chairman to tell me. I apologise for missing the last hour of the meeting but I had to make a speech and cast a vote in the Seanad. The Garda Síochána Act requires that GSOC should be independent in the performance of its functions. How does Mr. O'Brien's expression of regret to a Minister qualify as being independent...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Protocol Issues: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (12 Feb 2014)

Thomas Byrne: ...obviously what GSOC thought at the time; that this was the best way to deal with the matter. There has been an immediate change in attitude and I am disappointed. I am supportive of GSOC and the Garda Síochána and am not here to take sides, as some people in this debate have done, unfortunately. Mr. O'Brien recognises, as do most people, the enormously valuable work done by An...

Seanad: Public Sector Reform: Statements (11 Feb 2014)

Thomas Byrne: ..., the change of government in 2011. The change from Cumann na nGaedheal to Fianna Fáil, which took place at a much more delicate time in the history of the State, saw the public service, particularly the Garda, playing a tremendous role in keeping the country on an even keel. They have always done that. The Fianna Fáil Party recognises the huge sacrifices that have been asked...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: ...made, particularly by my colleague, Senator Darragh O'Brien, and, in the past, by Senator Mark Daly and Senator Lorraine Higgins. The allegations Senator Darragh O'Brien made yesterday are so serious that he went to the Garda fraud squad. They also involve a political question which he raised yesterday, so it would be appropriate to invite the Minister to the House to discuss the conduct...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: ...too much about it, namely, the notorious Rodolphus Allen trust. I raised the matter in the Seanad last July. I described it as a scam and I encouraged people not to get involved. I reported it to the Garda. I am pleased to see action has been taken at last and some of those involved have been arrested and are before the courts. I repeat my warning to people about such scams. They...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: ...a cost and as my party leader said in a debate on the Seanad referendum, it is important that we spend a reasonable amount of money on law-making. We spend a huge amount of money on law enforcement through the Garda and the courts system, etc., but some money must be spent on making laws and ensuring we have the best advice possible. The party leaders' allowance must be properly...

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2013)

Thomas Byrne: ...of the Offences against the State Act 1998 as outlined by the Minister of State. It appears from her statement that these provisions have been used multiple times. They are an essential tool for the Garda Síochána and the courts in dealing with this type of crime. As stated by the Minister of State, the Offences against the State Act 1998 was a direct response to the Omagh...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Jun 2013)

Thomas Byrne: That is a sensible alteration. The Garda should not be part of this and the role of the Commissioner should not be interfered with. Gardaí are regularly redeployed. I disagree fundamentally with the Minister that the Bill is technical. It is radical and goes way beyond what it is currently set out in the public service agreements. It should be treated as such. I am surprised that I...

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

Thomas Byrne: The Minister has shown disrespect and discourtesy to the gardaí and to their representative bodies. He has shown disrespect and discourtesy to the Army and its representative bodies, as well as to the prison officers. These are the people who often put their lives and physical safety on the line in the service and defence of the State. My first interaction with the Minister, Deputy...

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

Thomas Byrne: It is symbolic of the arrogance of the Minister for Justice and Equality and is the reason that gardaí all around Ireland have lost confidence in the Minister.