Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

410. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána has been given a role or directives by his Department for the eviction of families from homes, farms and businesses. [54195/18]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

411. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason An Garda Síochána is being employed to implement the eviction of families by private banks; if the State receives payment from these banks for the actions of An Garda Síochána; and if An Garda Síochána has a role in vetting the security personnel employed by the banks that carry out these evictions. [54196/18]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

412. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Garda involvement in eviction actions can do significant damage to the relationship that exists between An Garda Síochána and residents in rural and urban areas. [54197/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 to 412, inclusive, together.

At the outset, I can advise the Deputy that no directives have been issued by my Department to An Garda Síochána in matters relating to repossessions, and it is certainly not correct to say that An Garda Síochána are being employed to implement evictions.

The removal of individuals from property is not conducted by An Garda Síochána. Their role in relation to repossessions is to uphold the law in facilitating an order of the Court to be carried out safely, to ensure public order and to facilitate peaceful protests where they arise. The law and procedures governing the execution of Court Orders are contained in the Enforcement of Court Orders Acts and the Rules of Court made thereunder and any dispute in relation to the enforcement of a Court Order is a matter for the Courts.

As the Deputy will no doubt be aware, the persons in attendance at recent repossessions at North Frederick Street and more recently in Roscommon were not subject to regulation by the Private Security Authority (PSA). However, following these incidents, I convened a Working Group chaired by a senior official from my Department to examine the administrative, legislative, resources, security and any other matters necessary with a view to bringing the regulation and licensing of security personnel assisting those enforcing court orders within the remit of the PSA. The group have been requested to report to me by January 2019.