I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter involving the National Rural Safety Forum. As he will be aware, the purpose of the forum is to develop a nationwide network for the distribution of consistent, highly effective crime prevention advice, increase engagement within communities, and prevent and reduce opportunities for crime. The forum is co-chaired by Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman and Mr. Brian Rushe, deputy president of the Irish Farmers Association, IFA. My Department is represent…

I agree that it is not just about people being safe. People need to feel safe. In a number of the high-profile cases in rural Ireland, the Garda has had a number of real successes. However, we need to get to a point where such incidents are not happening and where people feel protected and safe in their communities. That means targeting those organised groups, many of which rob a number of houses and, unfortunately, carry out heinous acts against very vulnerable people. The law already treats burglary very seriousl…

The rural safety forum is a real opportunity for those organisations to come together. Rural Ireland is strongly represented on the forum. Some really good discussions have taken place, from which many good ideas have come. We fund Muintir na Tíre for the text alert system. I know Muintir na Tíre is working on a number of alternative projects as well. We will continue to look at and review any proposals that come forward. We also have the first pilot local community safety partnerships, three of which have been set…

Our priority is to ensure that the courts are resourced to administer justice efficiently and effectively for citizens in their access to justice.  The Government endeavours to fill judicial vacancies at the earliest opportunity and a number of such vacancies have been filled in recent times. In order to bring more strategic focus to this, the Minister established a judicial planning working group in April 2021, in line with commitments in the programme for Government and the justice plan action to "Establish a wor…

The judicial planning working group is looking at the very things about which the Deputy is concerned. We will be using those data from the OECD to assess the need in terms of judges, at present and going forward, in order that we can have an evidence-based, informed understanding of the need we have for additional judges in this country. The working group's report will inform that and the Government's decision-making. I should point out that the recent appointments and expansion in the number of High Court judges …

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The sustainability of communities on our offshore islands is a core objective of the Government as set out in the rural development policy for 2021 to 2025, Our Rural Future. The policy acknowledges the importance to island communities of access to reliable, safe and affordable connectivity services to and from the mainland. Contracts for these services are procured by the Department of Rural and Community Development on the open market through the procurement p…

I certainly hear the Deputy's cogent and well-thought-out points and I will bring them to the attention of the Minister, who, unfortunately, cannot be here. On the PSO routes managed by the NTA, the Department of Rural and Community Development does not subsidise all services and all routes, as has been stated, and careful consideration, therefore, must be given to any change that could substantially alter the contracts or put private operators at a disadvantage. I have certainly heard what the Deputy has to say an…

As Senators will be aware, this is a major overhaul of the system for Garda compensation claims. On Second Stage, a number of issues were raised. I want to make Senators aware of work that has been done on foot of that debate. Several Senators questioned why civilian staff of An Garda Síochána are not included in the new scheme for Garda compensation in view of the increase in civilianisation of the organisation. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, and I have looked again at this issue and are currently engaging with sta…

I thank the Senators for their contributions. This is an important Bill. It will contribute to the significant amount of law reform that is taking place. I was glad the Bill started its journey in the Seanad. As stated on numerous occasions, we need to exercise the opportunity to commence Bills in the Seanad in order that we can keep legislation moving through the Houses as quickly as possible and to get the insight of Senators on that legislation.

I am speaking today on a number of motions that exercise Ireland's option to opt into certain EU measures under Protocol No. 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, TFEU. Senators will be aware that if Ireland wishes to take part in an EU measure with a legal basis that falls under Title V of the TFEU, Oireachtas approval under Article 29.4.7° of the Constitution is required. The three measures before Senators today all have a legal basis which falls under Title V of the treaty and, therefore, it is necessar…

I thank the Senators for their contributions on the three opt-ins. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, the Prüm measures are essential to ensure the continuation of the close law-enforcement co-operation between Ireland and the United Kingdom. It is vital that we meet the highest standards possible when it comes to the investigation and prosecution of crimes. The ongoing transfer of Prüm data helps to ensure that. In the absence of a decision to facilitate the sharing of these data with the UK, the arrangement wi…

I thank the Deputies for their contributions to what has been an informed and enlightening debate. As the Minister, Deputy McEntee, said at the outset, our Department is committed to reforming defamation law into robust, modern legislation that addresses some of the complex challenges of a digital age. It is essential that our defamation legislation protects those human rights that are fundamental to democracy. There must be a right to freedom of expression and respect for the crucial role played in our democracy b…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 of the European …

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. Ireland has joined with others in condemning Russia's active aggression against Ukraine. We have grave concerns regarding reports of attacks by Russian forces that may constitute war crimes, including the targeting of civilians and civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure. It is essential that those responsible for war crimes are identified and prosecuted. The current proposal will allow Eurojust to play a key role in supporti…

He is not a member of the Judiciary.

He is not.

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. We have had an interesting debate both on the previous occasion and today and very useful contributions. This legislation meets the commitment in the programme for Government to overhaul our judicial appointments system. We are debating serious and meaningful reform. It is significant that all judicial offices in the State and outside the State will come within the commission's remit to recommend. It is critical that all applications must be made to the commission, and …

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)( a ) and 181(1).

I thank Deputy O'Reilly for raising this very important matter around the lack of domestic violence refuge accommodation provision in north County Dublin. It is the stated goal of my Department and this Government that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one. I know the Minister, Deputy McEntee, is deeply committed to working with partners in the sector and with Government colleagues to achieve this. Tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, DSGBV, in all its forms is a priority for this Governmen…

I again thank Deputy O'Reilly for bringing up this very important matter. As the Deputy rightly pointed out, the need has been identified, as has the prioritisation. We now need to get to the implementation and delivery side of this. I will certainly raise the Deputy’s concerns with the Minister, Deputy McEntee, when I am talking to her about this situation. In my own county of Wexford, a tender has now been agreed for 12 spaces for the Wexford Women's Refuge. The sense of confidence that has given to the voluntary…