Results 361-380 of 4,808 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Alan Shatter

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Did the Deputy not hear what I said about that?

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: It was two weeks ago.

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: A journalist sent a question to my Department wanting to know generally what I was doing about bugging journalists. I am doing nothing about bugging journalists. I do not bug journalists, but the level of hysteria we have got to is extraordinary. The lack of understanding of the extent to which there is judicial oversight in a number of these areas is extraordinary. I plead with those...

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after "surveillance;" and substitute the following:"- the investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, under section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, into these concerns; - the conclusion of the investigation that no definitive evidence of unauthorised technical or electronic surveillance was found; and - the...

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Today, it was agreed at Cabinet that the input of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality would be sought on the amendments to be made to the 2005 Act with regard to GSOC, in advance of my finalising the proposals to be brought by me to Cabinet - hardly the actions of someone seeking to undermine the work of GSOC. On Tuesday last, in this House I detailed the...

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Even GSOC does not accept that.

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I published it and gave it to committee members. It did not sneak out.

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

Alan Shatter: I thank the Deputies who contributed to the debate. I thank those who said something constructive and those who made other sorts of contributions to which I will refer. I am interested in one thing only, the truth of the issues that arose, whether GSOC was bugged. It would be completely unacceptable for any surveillance to be conducted on its offices. I have the height of respect for GSOC...

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

Alan Shatter: He is being disingenuous. Ten days ago, before this controversy developed, I announced that we intended to amend the GSOC legislation and that I would bring proposals to Government in that regard. In its reports GSOC has indicated some issues it wishes addressed. That legislation will be brought to Government at some point during the course of this year and will come before the House. The...

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

Alan Shatter: I would like to begin by emphasising the important public role played by An Garda Síochána as the police force in this State and by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, as the independent body with the important remit of investigating allegations of police misconduct. Each is a crucial pillar in our constitutional democracy and each plays a vital role in the...

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

Alan Shatter: I understand that no connection between any member of An Garda Síochána with any of these matters arose. This is not my conclusion - it is that of GSOC. It would, of course, be a matter of the gravest concern if GSOC were, in fact, subject to surveillance from any quarter and I am sure the House will welcome the fact that, notwithstanding the conclusions of its investigation, it...

Other Questions: Departmental Bodies Expenditure (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am always happy to meet people where it is appropriate to do so. I will have no difficulty in meeting Civil Defence members and it is unnecessary to raise that issue in the House as a question. As I mentioned previously, the apparent major reduction in funding, between 2012 and 2013, was simply a reflection of the abolition of the Civil Defence board. Many of the costs of Civil Defence...

Other Questions: Departmental Bodies Expenditure (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: In the context of organisational and assistance issues, these matters have, effectively, been centralised through the Department of Defence, rather than a separate board. Because of this, there is regular contact, on a daily basis when necessary, with members of Civil Defence. There is no difficulty in meeting a group representing members of the organisation, if they wish to meet me. There...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Some terrible atrocities have been committed in the Central African Republic and the news last night and the newspapers this morning reported on a dreadful event in which an individual had been lynched and killed by official army forces. On the specific issues raised by the Deputy, the European Council, in its conclusions of 20 December 2013, expressed its concern at the continuously...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Our participation in a particular mission is always a matter for continuing review. The most recent deployment of our forces in large numbers was on the UNDOF mission to the Golan Heights in Syria where we now have approximately 125 personnel. We were specifically requested by the United Nations to take part in that mission because of the understanding our troops had of the region, our...

Other Questions: Energy Usage (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am very happy to ask my officials to explore further these matters. It is very important in the context of energy conservation that we achieve the maximum efficiencies and synergies between different parts of Government, such as the Defence Forces, other Government agencies of the Department of Justice and Equality or other Departments. I am very enthusiastic to advance the implementation...

Other Questions: Energy Usage (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Deputy Stanton has a very great and personal interest in the new Cork prison and Collins Barracks adjacent to it. Discussions are taking place. I cannot predict the outcome of those discussions but we are examining the matters the Deputy raised and in which I have a great interest. I hope benefits will accrue from the engagement that is taking place but it is a little early for me to say...

Other Questions: Departmental Bodies Expenditure (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The budget allocations from the Department of Defence Vote for Civil Defence for the years 2008 to 2014 are as follows: Year Budget (€) 2008 6.248 million 2009 6.148 million 2010 6.061 million 2011 5.585 million 2012 5.585 million 2013 4.243 million 2014 4.240 million I am pleased to say that, in light of the overall economic challenges facing the country, from...

Other Questions: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 25 together. The Defence Forces operate a system of unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, as an information-gathering asset. They provide a low-cost and low-risk means of increasing surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities. They also provide a forward observation and surveillance capacity of potential threats for deployed units on overseas...

Other Questions: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The substantial discussions I have engaged in with my ministerial colleagues regarding the use of drones have focused particularly on the areas I mentioned in my reply. Drones can undertake a range of useful functions in areas like maritime surveillance and troop protection. I am not aware of any conspiracy like that referred to by the Deputy. I reiterate that this State does not have any...