Results 41-60 of 315 for gsoc speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Other Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: GSOC is a very important body and Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring is the chairperson. I thank her and the other commissioners for their work. It is very important that we have confidence in its work and that An Garda Síochána has confidence in it too. That means the public will have confidence as they need to know that very important role is being carried out effectively and...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: ...also look at certain matters relating to the O'Higgins commission. It will also took at whether senior members of An Garda Síochána attempted to entrap or falsely accuse Sergeant McCabe of criminal misconduct. There has been a lot of debate in this House and elsewhere as to whether we should look at how other gardaí who have made protected disclosures have been treated. I...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: ...At this point, we are in a different place regarding that. Nevertheless, we have to ensure that the right procedures are in place in An Garda Síochána, that we have bodies to whom the Garda is accountable, such as the policing authority and GSOC, and that those bodies are strengthened. That is my goal. In regard to the independent expert that is being appointed for An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Authority (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...approval shortly to prepare Heads of a Bill to amend Part 4 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which concerns the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, to improve its operation. I expect the forthcoming changes to reflect the recommendations relating to GSOC in the Joint Committee’s Report. Finally, I want to reiterate that I and the Government are fully committed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: GSOC’s budget for 2017 is 9.564 million which represents a slight increase on 2016 to account for Lansdowne Road Agreement adjustments. Resources and funding are kept under continuing review to ensure that GSOC is enabled to continue to operate effectively and efficiently and in accordance with its statutory remit. The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into operation on 15 July...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...or any other form of investigation, although counsel could where necessary recommend that I seek further information from persons or bodies, for example the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). Each case was considered on its own merits and recommendations were made in relation to each case. The Panel was independent and therefore no restriction was placed on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Legal Costs (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...Hayes Solicitors €6,150 Hayes Solicitors €7,380 Beauchamps Solicitors €2,952 Private Security Authority Holmes O'Malley Sexton €41,518 Ross Aylward €10,717 Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board McDowell Purcell Solicitors €17,922 Mr. Anthony Aston S.C., €14,822 Legal Aid Board Mason Hayes & Curran €174,581...

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...of an independent policing authority that has oversight of Garda Síochána is one of the most significant reforms to the justice system ever undertaken in this country. We have change that will further strengthen GSOC legislation. Yesterday in this House, I outlined how I had dealt with the two protected disclosures I received last October. I have always been careful and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Garda Investigations (15 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...a further prosecution in this matter. I am further advised that additional complaints made by the same person were referred by the Garda Commissioner to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). GSOC subsequently submitted a file to the DPP who directed that there be no prosecution in relation to these additional complaints. However, I understand that the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Programme for Government Initiatives (15 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...recent years and the recent transfer of the appointment function in relation to the senior ranks is a particularly important signal of this reform. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has a hugely important role in ensuring that public confidence in the Garda Síochána is safeguarded. I am committed to ensuring that we have in place the most effective...

Clarification of Statements made by the Taoiseach and Ministers: Statements (Resumed) (14 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...receives protected disclosures and there are clear ways of dealing with them. When I get a protected disclosure from a member of An Garda Síochána, and there have been a number of them, GSOC is the body that has been appointed to investigate-----

Clarification of Statements made by the Taoiseach and Ministers: Statements (Resumed) (14 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We spend a lot of time in this House talking about setting up independent procedures to remove policing from this House. We give these protected disclosures to GSOC so that they can be independently assessed. That is what I did with the information I received.

Clarification of Statements made by the Taoiseach and Ministers: Statements (Resumed) (14 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: First of all, let me correct Deputy Coppinger. It would be illegal for me to read the transcripts of the O'Higgins commission. They are meant to be under lock and key for 30 years except that GSOC went to court a few weeks ago to have access to them because I had asked GSOC to investigate and the court decided it could access those records. Just be very clear, I would have no right to read...

Clarification of Statements made by the Taoiseach and Ministers: Statements (Resumed) (14 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Many whistleblower cases come to my attention. I cannot investigate them myself but I have the responsibility to pass those on to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. It has been noted publicly, and I can confirm, that in one of those cases there was a mention of Tusla and that was passed on to GSOC for investigation.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (14 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...a further prosecution in this matter. I am further advised that additional complaints made by the same person were referred by the Garda Commissioner to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). GSOC subsequently submitted a file to the DPP who directed that there be no prosecution in relation to these additional complaints. However, I understand that the...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: ...and the rights of confidentiality of the people involved, I have previously explained to the House that I do not comment on individual cases. However, a number of cases are under consideration by GSOC and I do not want to do anything to interfere with any statutory examination or investigation which is currently under way. It is open to members of the Garda Síochána, to make...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: ...support for that. I indicated, in speaking in the House recently on the justice committee report on governance and accountability, that I will introduce legislation to enhance the powers of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. I met Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring some weeks ago and agreed that we should do a ten-year review of the GSOC legislation and strengthen its...

Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The one I would be aware of would be contact with, for example, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, in the normal course of events, whatever would be appropriate there, but no, I am not in possession of-----

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

Frances Fitzgerald: ...alleged took place against the whistleblowers. I spend much of my time as Minister for Justice and Equality ensuring that we have the strongest possible protections for whistleblowers, and that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, is empowered to take complaints from An Garda Síochána. It is now setting up a special protected disclosure unit, which the...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: ...unique situation involving these very serious allegations. I do not talk about individual cases obviously, but there are cases involving other whistleblowers before the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, which is charged with investigating complaints against gardaí. It is setting up a protected disclosure unit and I believe we must arrive at a point where people,...