I again thank the Deputy for his question. I am familiar with Wicklow town, a very beautiful town, so I understand his concern when there is that one building standing out that needs a little bit of tender care to bring it up to at least looking the part. The Deputy should raise the matter with the OPW but he can also continue to bring it up with us and we can bring it to the attention of the Courts Service. It is a matter for the Courts Service, working with the OPW, to get those improvement works carried out as s…

I again thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Coming from a historic town myself, I know the importance of these public buildings and having them kept in a presentable manner. We are very proud of our historical towns and, as the Deputy has said, a lot of great work has been carried out with funding from this Government in terms of getting those towns looking as well as possible. In some ways, that means that a couple of buildings in our historic towns that are not up to scratch stand out even more. I…

I thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of policing in rural areas and how it is being strengthened. The Government is committed to ensuring that there is strong, visible community policing across rural and urban Ireland. Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda operations aimed at preventing and detecting crime. As Minister of State, I have no direct role in these matters. This year’s winter phas…

In relation to the new model for An Garda Síochána, all aspects of its implementation are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. The Mayo division was selected by the Garda authorities as one of the four pilot divisions for the new operating model. The new model is designed to provide four functional areas in each division, namely, business services, performance assurance, community engagement and crime. Castlebar Garda station is the location for the business service functional area, which provides business support …

Regarding the new community safety partnerships, I think they will prove to be the complete opposite and will greatly strengthen the role in this regard in rural communities. They will do so by strengthening the pace of engagement with An Garda Síochána, the various representative organisations and the local authorities to ensure that there is not just accountability and transparency, but also an effectiveness in respect of getting results on the ground and the changes required. Regarding An Garda Síochána and the …

On behalf of the Minister for Justice, I thank Deputy Cian O'Callaghan for bringing forward this timely Bill with very important proposals. Members are all too aware of reports in the media of offers being made to provide accommodation in exchange for sex; there are reportedly even worrying offers being targeted specifically towards vulnerable Ukrainian women. I am also aware of reports of existing tenants in vulnerable circumstances being approached in a similar way. I am acutely aware of the level of distress suc…

I thank the Labour Party and, in particular, Senators Wall, Sherlock, Moynihan, Hoey, and former Senator, now Deputy, Bacik for bringing forward this Bill. The Government fully understands the concerns Members have about problem gambling and in particular the impact that gambling and its advertising may have on children. Senator Wall’s passion for this issue has been clear since his election to the Seanad and has been matched with reasoned proposals from the very beginning. This Bill is an important contribution an…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the European Arrest Warrant (Amendment) Bill 2022 to the House. This Bill aims to address certain issues that have been identified by the European Commission with our existing legislation in this area in formal EU infringement proceedings. Timely enactment of the Bill will ensure that Ireland is not referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union, CJEU, and will not become liable for financial penalties. Second, this Bill also makes…

I thank Deputies for their very considered and measured contributions on what is technical but very important legislation amending the European arrest warrant. The main purpose of the Bill is to address a number of issues identified by the EU Commission with our existing legislation in this area informing EU infringement proceedings. That is why we must enact this Bill in a timely way. The Bill also takes the opportunity to make a number of technical amendments that are necessary. I hear what Deputies are saying on…

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice in accordance with Standing Order 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

I am delighted to introduce the Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2021 to the House on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, and look forward to hearing the contributions from Senators. This Bill is aimed at replacing the Garda compensation scheme that is currently in operation with a new statutory scheme that will reduce the waiting times and costs associated with claims for malicious injury to gardaí or their family members. The key aims of the Bill are to reduce the length of time it takes for Gar…

I thank the Senators for their contributions and the broad support they have provided. I acknowledge the huge work that is done by members of An Garda Síochána in putting their lives at risk on a daily basis, as a number of Senators pointed out. Indeed, Senator Craughwell pointed out that this is one profession where when you go out you do not if you are going to return home. They have done tremendous work. Let us reflect on the pandemic and what the Garda did then not just in enforcing peace and safety but the com…

We can continue to give that consideration. In response to Senator Craughwell, one of the key distinctions with this is that generally speaking it is for no-fault applications. Psychological injury very much is taken into account. I acknowledge Senator Ward welcoming this and for pointing out the increased civilianisation. This is something we need to keep an eye on. The Senator also welcomed the inclusion of former members. As he rightly pointed out, the Department of Justice does not have any role in criminal leg…

On behalf of the Minister for Justice, I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter on Dublin’s inner city and concerns around public safety. The Minister joins all of the House in condemning all acts of violence, in particular any forms of knife crime, and in wishing the victim of the incident referred to by the Deputy a healthy and speedy recovery. I am informed by the Garda authorities that an investigation is ongoing at this time and the Deputy will appreciate that neither I nor the Minister for Justice…

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter regarding the commitment relating to the barriers facing non-fluent English speakers reporting sexual or gender-based violence. The Senator has been very much to the forefront on this matter, not only in this Chamber but also behind the scenes in working with the Department of Justice, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and other Departments. The Minister is determined to do everything she can to combat all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This ha…

I again thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter, about which I know he is deeply concerned. The Minister wants to be clear that the incidents of assault or intimidation are completely unacceptable. We want people to feel and be safe, whether they live or work in Dublin city centre or want to visit and enjoy our capital city. Obviously, the distribution and management of gardaí is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, but as of 31 January 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, 712 Gard…

I again thank the Senator for raising this very important matter. I hear her point in regard to how sensitive these issues are. Those dealing with very vulnerable people need to understand how to deal with those situations in a very sensitive manner. As the Senator will be aware, the Minister is leading on the development of a new whole-of-government strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The goal of the strategy is zero tolerance for violence against women, and it recognises that added vuln…

I thank Deputy Griffin for raising this very important issue around energy security and policy. I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan, who could not be here today. At the outset, I wish to reiterate that the Government continues to stand in full solidarity with the people of Ukraine and our EU partners. Our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity remains unwavering. We stand with the people of Ukraine and will work with the EU to provide continued support. Let me condemn the outrage…

I thank the Deputy for raising the very important matter of Ireland's energy security following the invasion of Ukraine. I hear the Deputy's considered views and opinions. I will certainly bring them the Minister's attention. The best way to secure our energy needs is to continue to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Climate Action Plan 2021 sets us on a pathway to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels dramatically by 2030. Measures include the following: aiming for up to 80% of our electric…

I acknowledge the difficulties people are experiencing in trying to get through by telephone to the NDLS booking system. It is not acceptable that service provision is not up to standard. I have been assured by the RSA that the additional training by the service provider, to be completed this week, will improve the service provided to the public. During the tender process, it was not intended that the new contract would have a mandatory non-appointment option. Experience has shown that managing a non-appointment se…