Results 401-420 of 1,046,264 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Alan Farrell OR speaker:Colm Brophy OR speaker:Neasa Hourigan OR speaker:David Stanton)

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

James Browne: The number of gardaí in the area has increased by 9% since the end of 2015. We are carrying out a recruitment process in Templemore for An Garda Síochána and this has sped up significantly, with a significant number of gardaí graduating from there. There is a challenge with Garda numbers but as the numbers increase I have no doubt additional gardaí will be assigned...

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

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I need to repeat that I have spoken with superintendent Anthony Farrell. We need more gardaí. The population of County Carlow has grown, which is very welcome. We had one of the highest growth rates in the most recent census. We do not have enough gardaí. We do not have enough community gardaí on the ground. We have seen an increase in burglaries. I spoke about one in...

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

James Browne: I condemn the incidents of crime outlined by Deputy Murnane O'Connor. They are absolutely outrageous and I have no doubt An Garda Síochána will leave no stone unturned in investigating these criminal activities. There is an excellent chief superintendent in Anthony Pettit, who is originally of the Wicklow-Wexford division. No doubt the chief superintendent would very much...

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

International Protection

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

Willie O'Dea: 14. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department will undertake a review of the suitability of the International Protection Office in Mount Street to process applications for international protection, given the significant increase in the number of people making applications at the office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38170/24]

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I am extremely concerned about the International Protection Office in Mount Street. As the Minister is aware, over the past 18 months the number of people applying for international protection has put considerable pressure on the office on Mount Street, such that I am concerned about the capacity and suitability of it. Does the Minister have any plan to conduct a review of it? Does she...

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...