Results 61-80 of 81 for gsoc speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

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

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I should indicate that GSOC is not compelled to come before us and the delegation has come of its own volition. I asked on Monday that a delegation would come as early as possible and the earliest opportunity - our Wednesday meeting at 4 p.m. - was used. The witnesses may respond to questions as they wish, as it is their right to respond or not to a question. Up to now there has been a...

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

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: These were matters of such public interest that GSOC took it upon itself – as it has the right to do under law – to investigate them. It took four years to complete the investigation. Am I right in saying that it took so long because of the profound delays in getting co-operation on this matter of huge public interest from senior management of An Garda Síochána?...

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

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Mr. FitzGerald said last night that the decision to bring in a security sweep of the GSOC premises happened around a time when sensitive investigations were taking place. Can I confirm that GSOC was completing the investigation of these matters at the time it was thinking of doing the security sweep of its premises?

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

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I accept that. GSOC then contacted its sister organisation in Britain, which it is perfectly entitled to do. I know that the Ombudsman in Ireland, whether that was Emily O’Reilly, or now, Peter Tyndall, co-operates with her or his European counterparts regularly. GSOC sought advice on a high-quality security consultancy, one of the best international standard, as I think Mr....

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

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I will conclude with this. It is being said, and Mr. FitzGerald identified this last night, that because GSOC was pursuing an investigation - which it is its job to do, courageously, without fear or favour, to pursue every issue - that had very serious ramifications for people at a higher level in An Garda Síochána, it had therefore put itself in the way of surveillance and...

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

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: When the GSOC chairman responds, the Deputy's time will have elapsed. Does she have one more short question?

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

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The commissioners came before us last July in respect of their concerns about co-operation with GSOC investigations by senior management of the Garda Síochána. Protocols have been in place since. I am particularly interested in the public interest investigation conducted by GSOC. Am I correct that it is a public interest investigation, without naming individuals, into reports...

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

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: With regard to that investigation, one of the issues investigated by GSOC led to it reporting that it had profound difficulties for a number of years in getting co-operation from senior management in the Garda Síochána in that investigation. Will Mr. FitzGerald take us through some of the difficulties in respect of time limits and getting documentation?

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

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: ...in terms of the Morris tribunal that had not been learned. The issue of the Morris tribunal was central in respect of the handling of informers and the retention of contemporaneous notes. GSOC stated it had grave concerns the lessons had not been learned from the Morris tribunal. Is that correct?

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

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: We are now in public session. I welcome Commissioners Simon O'Brien, chairperson, Kieran FitzGerald and Carmel Foley of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, to our meeting. The commissioners are accompanied by Mr. Ray Leonard, deputy director of investigations, Mr. Chris McGuire, analyst, and Ms Suzie Rafter, communications and research officer. We are here today to...

Reports of Unlawful Surveillance of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Statements (11 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: ...across this State. To put it kindly, we have had a problematic 18 months in terms of public confidence in the Minister's ability to preside over and assist, depending on what body it is, the GSOC or An Garda Síochána. When previous issues came into the public domain relating to the GSOC, the Minister's instinct was to defend the system. What I found remarkable was the fact...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (5 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: ...fair because they were not at fault. It is important that the Minister acknowledge at some point that this was an issue for senior management and that changes need to happen in order to make the latter accountable to GSOC. There must be a better response to any criticisms that are levelled or any allegations of malpractice that are made in the future.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (5 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Minister has been critical of members of Committee of Public Accounts and has said that he referred the matter to GSOC in the public interest due to the direction in which it was going. He now says that the Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality should have dealt with it. That committee and the Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions were both of the view that GSOC was...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice and Equality (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: If resources are required for those in GSOC to fulfil their responsibilities, they will be provided. They will not be short of resources. Is that the case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Special Report and Annual Report 2012: Discussion with Garda Commissioner (20 Nov 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I thank the Garda Commissioner. Before I open the floor to members, I remind them that their only focus should be on the concerns raised by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, as outlined to the committee in its special and annual reports.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Issues (25 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 2. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and the Garda Commissioner to meet with him to discuss GSOC's publicly aired serious concerns. [40057/13]

Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2013 [Private Members]: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jul 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: ...what gave birth to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission but unfortunately from the outset it did not have the powers it required to hold the Garda to account. If there is any doubt about that, it was blown away by the report that the GSOC has given to the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Garda Commissioner in regard to what is known as the Kieran Boylan affair, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Meetings (17 Jul 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 219. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and the Garda Commissioner to meet with him to discuss GSOC's publicly aired serious concerns. [35763/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Reports: Discussion (3 Jul 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: ...I call Deputy Daly, I wish to take the opportunity to ask a few questions because Senator Ó Clochartaigh and I have to attend another engagement at 5.40 p.m. The background to the formation of GSOC was the Morris tribunal which caused huge concern throughout the State and cost it dear financially and in terms of public confidence in the workings of the Garda Síochána....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (13 Jun 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: What about the Garda leaks in the media to attack the Garda Ombudsman? It is a despicable use by senior gardaí of well known journalists to attack the GSOC, Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.