Results 81-100 of 315 for gsoc speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...the publication of the final report of the O'Higgins Commission of Investigation. Obviously I have to be careful not to say anything which might interfere with the investigation currently underway by GSOC. As the Deputy is aware, the Chairperson of GSOC wrote to me seeking access to certain records of the O’Higgins Commission of Investigation. In view of the provisions of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Investigation (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...following the publication of the final report of the O'Higgins Commission of Investigation. Obviously I have to be careful not to say anything which might interfere with the investigation currently underway by GSOC. As the Deputy is aware, the Chairperson of GSOC wrote to me seeking access to certain records of the O’Higgins Commission of Investigation. In view of the provisions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Inspectorate Reports (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...will inform the content of the 2017 Policing Plan which will be published before the end of the year. It has reviewed and issued recommendations on the Garda Protected Disclosure policy and will also establish a Code of Ethics that includes standards of conduct and practice for Garda members. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has a hugely important role in...

Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...called for independent bodies to monitor the work of gardaí, to take account of the various initiatives in which they are involved and to look at policies and their implementation. We now have the Policing Authority and GSOC, which is responsible for investigating complaints. I will not take any actions that will cut across the work of the independent bodies that Members of this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...the publication of the final report of the O'Higgins Commission of Investigation. Obviously I have to be careful not to say anything which might interfere with the investigation currently underway by GSOC. However, I can confirm to the Deputy that the Chairperson of GSOC wrote to me seeking access to certain records of the O'Higgins Commission of Investigation. In view of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Correspondence (20 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...the issues that are raised in this complex case. For instance, I am precluded from interfering in Garda operational matters or criminal investigations by An Garda Síochána or investigations by GSOC. Furthermore, I'm sure that the Deputy will appreciate that the DPP is the independent prosecution authority in the State and I have no authority in relation to those decisions. ...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: ...are available as regards protected disclosures. I have taken a decision on how the two most recent disclosures should be handled. For the various whistleblower complaints that have crossed my desk and that of GSOC, there is also the option of a GSOC investigation. I do not want to do anything that would interfere with GSOC's investigations and it is important that they proceed at GSOC's...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Remit (11 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has a hugely important role in ensuring that public confidence in the Garda Síochána is safeguarded, and has extensive powers under the 2005 Act to enable it to carry out its responsibilities. Significant changes were made to the powers of GSOC in the last two years including making GSOC a designated body for receiving...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (6 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...there will be more, budget permitting, next year. With regard to legislation and accountability, I said I will consider the comments of Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring on the strengthening of powers of GSOC and I will meet her shortly.

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...íochána being accountable to the new Policing Authority, chaired by Josephine Feehily and a very competent and serious board totally committed to its task. That is different. That is a change. GSOC has been given new powers. I am perfectly prepared to meet both chairs to discuss if further changes are necessary to the legislation. Deputy Wallace has made a number of...

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...Garda Síochána. I have initiated the biggest reforms in the history of An Garda Síochána by establishing the Policing Authority and expanding the powers Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. I cannot comment on the details of the disclosures but they are of the utmost seriousness and should be treated accordingly. That is how I am treating them. I am...

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Let me be very clear - no, I do not have any other protected disclosures. Clearly, a small number of protected disclosures have been made, both to GSOC and to myself, and these are in the public realm. Details relating to disclosures are published, for example, in the annual report of GSOC. Therefore, the relevant figures are publicly available. There is nothing that is there that-----

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...of the reforms that have taken place recently include an open and independent process for the selection of the new Garda Commissioner, strengthening the role of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, an independent review mechanism and the extension of the Freedom of Information Act to An Garda Síochána. There have been various inquiries and a former President...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Minister for Justice and Equality (5 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I want to take up the questions asked by Deputy Daly on the Policing Authority and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. Of course I take note of what the new chairperson of GSOC had to say when she appeared before the committee. I will meet her, and the Department is in contact with GSOC. She has been in position for approximately a year. She is a very effective and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Minister for Justice and Equality (5 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...of that. As I said earlier, I have real difficulties commenting on individual cases, as the Chairman will appreciate. Certain matters following the O'Higgins report have also been referred to GSOC for investigation. That investigation is taking its course as well. I want to be helpful to the committee in whatever way I can but I am not in a position to publish those two referrals to me...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations (29 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Commissioner wrote to me on 19 May 2016 asking that I use the legal powers available to me to request the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) to investigate matters alleged to have occurred in relation to a meeting in Mullingar involving certain Garda officers. On 16 June 2016, having consulted with the Attorney General and having sought additional information...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...the Protected Disclosures Act, which is a very robust statutory framework within which workers, including members of An Garda Síochána, can raise concerns regarding potential wrongdoing. I believe that GSOC has the necessary independence and powers to carry out any investigation that is needed or that arises, but the legislation does provide a comprehensive suite of employment...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...range of important issues. That is the biggest reform to the Garda Síochána that this country has seen, so I do not accept the Deputy's description once again. We see major change regarding the role of GSOC, the Garda Inspectorate and the Policing Authority. Implementing the various recommendations is what is important, as well as making sure that the many recommendations - I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I do not agree with the Deputy's analysis of GSOC. The GSOC report from 2015 indicated that it had received full responses to 93.6% of requests within the time limit of 30 days, with only 6.4% unfulfilled at 30 days. That represents a significant improvement in compliance with the protocols over 2013 and 2014. The average time taken to receive a compliant response was 22 days in 2015....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Investigations (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The annual report from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission for last year demonstrates very clearly that 96% of all requests made to the Garda for information from GSOC were given to it within the 30-day period. There was a small percentage where there was a longer timeframe but we have established protocols and there has been an improved relationship between GSOC and the Garda...