Results 401-420 of 1,038,197 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Tom Kitt OR speaker:Rose Conway-Walsh OR speaker:Denise Mitchell OR speaker:Pat Buckley OR speaker:Denis Naughten) in 'Committee meetings'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: In recent years, I have increased investment at every level of the international protection system, including in the International Protection Office, to deal effectively with the increase in applications. As a consequence, there are now more than 500 staff based at the Mount Street premises, involved in all stages of the international protection process, from initial registration, through to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister. As the Minister has said, the International Protection Office has been present on Mount Street for more than 20 years. I have been a Deputy since 2016 and there has never really been any issue with the office operating there, except over the past 18 months. What has happened is that, as we are all aware, the number of people applying for international protection has...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan. It is for the reason he has outlined and I have outlined, which is a significant increase in the number of international protection applicants, that a second centre has been opened. Almost 50% of applicants who would have been going to Mount Street are now going to Citywest. I believe it is a more appropriate location, particularly when women and children are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister. It is still the case that 57% of all applicants apply physically by arriving at Mount Street. We need to look at what happens in other countries, where they have a series of different locations where people can apply for international protection. It does not appear to make sense to me that we have only one or two physical locations where people apply. We should also...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: This is not an issue that we can deal with alone and that is why An Garda Síochána has significant engagement and very strong links with Interpol and Europol. We have worked very closely with the Maritime Analysis and Operation Centre - Narcotics, based in Lisbon. We have deployed Garda liaison officers to specific countries which we know are problematic where drugs are coming...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: I submitted another question which I thought might have been up for oral reply today. It must be in for written reply at this stage. It related to the number of gardaí across Louth and in Dundalk, with details of the numbers in drug squads. I will be looking for that. I agree with what the Minister has said. Obviously, considerable effort needs to be put in on major operations,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Catherine Connolly: We are way over time.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: The Garda is spending a huge amount of time. Councils do not have the power and Tusla does not have the tools. The Garda does not have the tools at this point in time to deal with these sorts of issues.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Catherine Connolly: Deputy-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: It is a huge draw on resources.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Catherine Connolly: There are a number of contributors - four extra speakers now. These questions are not grouped. I ask everyone to be as quick as possible because there are Members waiting for their tabled questions and we will finish at 10.30 a.m. I call Deputy Alan Farrell first.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Alan Farrell: I welcome the question and the answer. I particularly welcome the reference to the recreational use of cocaine, which is an absolute scourge on our society. It is right across this country. It is not confined to any particular community; it is everywhere. One of the big issues I have is bringing awareness to those recreational users that they are directly funding organised drug groups,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Cathal Crowe: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for accommodating me. I agree that the only way to deal with this is to hit them where it hurts, that is, in the pocket. CAB has done a lot of good work on it. It seems to me often that the focus of CAB is on the people whose names feature on the front page of the Sunday World every weekend. However, there is a need to get involved at a community level as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I acknowledge the successes of An Garda Síochána, particularly in recent times, by way of interruption and seizing large amounts of illicit drugs. I support the Minister in her efforts to bring about a reduction in drug usage in this country. We need to have a debate but I do not propose to have it here today. Some in the community will say that this needs to be dealt with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I agree with the previous speakers. I see the scourge of drugs everywhere. It is about communities. Families come into my clinics heartbroken. Families need to borrow money to pay back the bills for their children who are taking drugs, which is unacceptable. We need to do campaigns and get some sort of help for these families and for the children or people who are taking the drugs. It...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: We need to come at this from a number of different angles. There is not one single solution to resolve what is a problem not just in Ireland but right across the world. We need to continue to invest in and support An Garda Síochána to work with its partners across the globe to try to tackle at source the organised crime groups and those who are responsible for producing this. We...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Catherine Connolly: There are four Members present who have questions. With everyone's co-operation, we will get to those four questions.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: 13. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí, as well as Garda staff, assigned to Borris, Carlow, Hacketstown, Muine Bheag, Myshall, Rathvilly and Tullow stations. [38008/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I wish to know the number of gardaí, as well as Garda staff, assigned to Borris, Carlow, Hacketstown, Bagenalstown, Myshall, Rathvilly and Tullow stations.