Politics - Thurles Information

Security & Protection Review Announced For Oireachtas Members & Staff Working On Oireachtas Campus.

Security & Protection Review Announced For Oireachtas Members & Staff Working On Oireachtas Campus

The Garda Commissioner is to undertake a new security and protection review of TDs, senators, their staff and people working on the Oireachtas campus.

The chairs of the respective parliamentary parties and parliamentary groupings in the Oireachtas, and representatives of the staff and media working in Leinster House, will be asked to contribute to the review and will be met with, as part of this process.

This will allow those working in the Oireachtas to give their views on general security and protection, including their work in their constituencies, as well as on the security approach to parliamentary set days, such as Budget Day and the first sitting of Dáil terms.

This review will be concluded by the end of October and full details will be provided to the Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee TD .

Officials have been asked to examine whether existing legislation is sufficient to deal with intimidation centred on our democratic institutions, including consultation with the Attorney General on this matter.

The Commissioner’s review will also feed into other work being carried out under the auspices of the Oireachtas and elsewhere, such as:-

The Task Force on Safe Participation in Political Life.
A review of security announced this week by the Ceann Comhairle.
The potential impact of the new security allowance for members of the Oireachtas, which was introduced earlier this year.

An Garda Síochána constantly monitors the security of elected representatives.

A recent assessment of security for office holders has led to increased protection over recent years and each Garda Division has a Crime Prevention Officer who is qualified and tasked to liaise with and provide advice to elected representatives.

Serious justifiable concerns have arisen in light of the recent incidents involving protests.

New Bill To Establish A Domestic, Sexual & Gender-Based Violence Agency.

New agency to drive and co-ordinate the Government’s response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, including refuge delivery
Position of CEO of new agency to be advertised within weeks
DSGBV Agency Bill to be taken in the Dáil by the end of the month
Agency to be up and running by January 2024

Government approval has been secured to publish a Bill to create a statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and support victims and survivors.

Government approval of the new Bill should see the new agency set up and running by the end of January 2024, with the position of CEO of the new agency to be advertised by the end of the month. Candidates for the position will have three weeks to submit their application to the Public Appointments Service (PAS) following the opening of the competition.

The Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023 follows a Government decision that an agency should be established under the remit of the Department of Justice to deliver on commitments under Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on DSGBV, with the Bill being introduced in the Dáil by the end of September 2023.

The new agency will bring the dedicated and expert focus that is needed to tackle the serious and complex societal problem of DSGBV. Its main functions as set out in the Bill include:–

Planning, coordinating and monitoring the development of refuge accommodation.
Providing support, including financial assistance, for the delivery of services to victims and persons at risk of DSGBV.
Developing standards for funded services, and monitoring compliance.
Co-ordinating the delivery of relevant Government strategies and plans.
Delivering public campaigns aimed at raising awareness of DSGBV and reducing its prevalence.
Carrying out ongoing research to support the development of future policies and programmes.

In carrying out its work, the agency will also be mandated to engage and consult appropriately with the DSGBV sector and other stakeholders.

The Bill has already benefited from constructive engagement with relevant Government Departments and State bodies, in particular with the Department of Children, Equality, Integration and Youth and the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in the context of the transfer of responsibility for funding of DSGBV services from Tusla to the new agency.

The agency will be led by a chief executive to be recruited by open competition, with strategic guidance and oversight from a non-executive board with expertise in relation to DSGBV, organisational management and governance, and other matters relevant to the functions of the agency.
The chief executive will be responsible to the Dept. of Justice for the performance of the agency.

Irish Traveller Family Settle High Court Action Against Tipperary Co. Council.

An Irish Traveller family of six, named as Mr John and Mrs Nikita McInerney, together with their four young children, have now settled a High Court action taken against Tipperary County Council, latter who had opposed their claim.

The family had been forced to reside in a single-berth caravan and to sleeping in a motor vehicle, while camping in a variety of locations, including a retail park and by the roadside. The family had stated that they were under constant fear of prosecution and having their vehicle seized by Gardaí, who continuously sought their removal, which resulted in the family seeking orders and declarations from the court.

The family’s legal representatives had argued that the council’s policy was rigid and failed to meet their basic needs. According to them, the council only provided funding that partially covered the cost of hotel or B & B accommodation. Furthermore, they claimed the caravan given to them was totally unsuitable for their family’s needs. The family alleged that Tipperary County Council’s decision had violated constitutional and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the council’s own obligations under the 2014 Irish Human Rights and Equality Act.

After a legal battle, a resolution has now been reached and the council have provided the McInerney family with a four-bedroom house on an emergency basis, which in turn has resulted in the court case being dropped.

The judge has welcomed the settlement and praised the efforts of both parties in resolving their dispute.
This case further highlights the need for government agencies and County Councils to ensure that their policies and actions remain in line with existing human rights and equality legislation.

Tipperary Farmers Join Protest Outside Fianna Fáil Think-In.

More than 300 farmers are today staging a protest outside the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party think-in in County Tipperary over proposed changes to a nitrates derogation and plans to hold further protests at this week’s Fine Gael meeting in Limerick and at the National Ploughing Championships.

**Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) gather to protest at Horse and Jockey Hotel, outside Thurles, Co. Tipperary**.
*Picture*: *G. Willoughby.*

Members of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) have gathered at the Horse and Jockey Hotel, outside Thurles, Co. Tipperary, to call on Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue to oppose an EU Commission decision to introduce a tightening of rules around the spreading of manure from January next.

Laois farmer and IFA Presidential candidate Mr Francie Gorman said the Minister and his Department were forcing farmers to the brink with the new rules, which he claims would force farmers to reduce their herd and acquire land to abide by the proposed increased limits.

“Farmers will not accept anything less that the nitrates decision being reversed and a total review of banding. Both of these moves combined will have a devastating impact on the smaller family farm, especially fresh milk producers,” commented Mr Gorman.

He continued, “As I informed the Minister at yesterday’s International Sheepdog Trials in Blessington, County Wicklow, the IFA has put forward a credible solution that will help Ireland meet its targets under the nitrates directive and avoid the inevitable loss of jobs and income that the new rules will bring about, if introduced in their current form. The situation is being exacerbated by the fact that an early decision on the CAP strategic plan has led to payments not being made on time.”

Mr Gorman said IFA members will step up their protests unless the Government changes its approach. “We will bring our protest with even greater numbers to the Fine Gael think-in on Friday in Limerick, and we will continue our opposition to the proposed rules at the National Ploughing Championships and at Department of Agriculture offices across the country until such time as the Minister starts fighting for our sector and the 170,000 people that it employs,” he concluded.

Claims Of Over €2M + Euro Funds Go Missing At Garda College, Co Tipperary.

It is understood that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), has, at last, sent a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), following lengthy investigation into financial irregularities at the Garda Training College, situated in Templemore, Co. Tipperary.

Following investigations, same begun some 75 months ago, a decision is now awaited on whether any serving or retired Gardaí are likely to be charged in relation to this possible embezzlement.

It is understood that millions of euro, including European Union funds just vanished, with over €2m unaccounted for, and linked mainly to a restaurant at the Garda Training College, as well as huge sums linked to golf course land and a boat club.

Included in the internal audit report, are accusations as follows:-
(A) The Training College rented out land it did not own.
(B) Operated some 50 bank accounts with some allegedly used for purposes other than those for which they were intended. This included the buying of gifts, spending on entertainment and sponsoring garda clubs.
(C) Used public money to fit out privately owned shops.
(D) Operated one bank account in the name of the Garda laundry account, which were used for the payment of bonuses, some loans to staff, and the funding of entertainment and sporting expenses.
(E) Redirecting European Union funding into own bank accounts, before possibly being diverted to a Dublin bank account, referred to as the ‘Cabra Account‘.

These allegations first date back to 1999 and were then highlighted by Garda Human Resources boss Mr John Barrett. Mr Barrett gave extensive details of his efforts to raise concerns about Templemore’s existing finances.

Same was not referred to GSOC until June 2017 by the then Garda Commissioner Ms Nóirín O’Sullivan.
In her evidence to PAC in 2017, Ms O’Sullivan said that she first found out about same financial issues at a two hour meeting, described as a brief meeting, at the Training College, back in July 2015. However, inquiries do not appear to have continued, once Garda Commissioner O’Sullivan handed over her report to GSOC.

To date, one former senior Garda member, who was involved directly with the training college, has been deemed unable to fully co-operate with on going enquiries, due to failing health.

It is expected that this case could take the Irish State prosecutor some 12 months to rule if any current or now retired Gardaí should face criminal charges.