Joan Burton
Ceist:9. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform last met. [18008/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCabinet Committee Meetings
Ceisteanna (9)
Freagraí scríofa
The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform last met on 10th April 2017. The next meeting of the Committee has been scheduled for 15th May.
Questions Nos. 10 and 11 resubmitted.
National Security Committee
Ceisteanna (12)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:12. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the National Security Committee that have taken place in the past 12 months. [18227/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Having regard to the confidential nature of the work of the National Security Committee, it would not be appropriate to disclose information about the dates of individual meetings or about its proceedings.
The Committee is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government and comprises representatives at the highest level of the Departments of Justice & Equality, Defence and Foreign Affairs and Trade, and of the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces.
It is concerned with ensuring that the Government and I are advised of high level security issues and the responses to them, but not with operational security matters.
The Committee meets as required and will continue to do so. In addition to the meetings, the members liaise on an ongoing basis to monitor developments that might have national security implications, in particular in the international arena.
Commissions of Investigation
Ceisteanna (13)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:13. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the second Fennelly Commission report and when his Department received same. [18282/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I received the final report of the Fennelly Commission on 31 March 2017 and it was published on my Department's website on 6 April 2017.
The commission’s Final Report found that it is “reasonable to conclude, based on the evidence before it, that no widespread or systematic, indeed probably no significant, misuse of information derived from non-999 recordings took place”.
The commission also found no evidence of knowledge of the recording of non-999 telephone calls on the part of relevant Ministers for Justice, the Department of Justice, or other State agencies.
However, the Report made many findings of great concern to the Government, and I am sure to this House.
The commission found that recording and retaining non-999 calls was not authorised by common law or by statute, and that An Garda Síochána therefore infringed the Constitutional rights of those recorded.
The commission also made damning findings about the lack of effective oversight and procedures within An Garda Síochána over a lengthy period of time, and the failure to respond when some technicians and officers raised concerns and questions.
Taken together, the findings of the Fennelly Commission reinforce the Government’s determination to carry-out a fundamental review of the future of policing in Ireland.
In April, the Government approved draft terms of reference for a commission on the future of policing in Ireland and the Tánaiste is consulting with all Parties in this House before these are finalised.
This review will look at all functions carried out by An Garda Síochána, including community safety, state security and immigration.
It will also consider the full range of bodies that provide oversight and accountability for policing in Ireland.
It will take account of the changing nature of crime, society and public expectations; best practices in other countries; previous reports concerning policing in Ireland; and any specific challenges to delivering consistent reform in policing.
In addition to this comprehensive reform agenda, the Government has also agreed that the Tánaiste will:
- refer the Fennelly Report to the Policing Authority to oversee implementation of its recommendations in the context of its oversight of An Garda Síochána;
- examine the need for legislation in relation to the recording of calls and related matters, on foot of the recommendations of the Fennelly Commission, and
- refer matters in the report relating to the Bailey case to GSOC to consider whether they believe any further investigation is necessary against the background of the investigation they have been carrying out already into the case.
Questions Nos. 14 to 43, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 44 to 49, inclusive, answered orally.
Telecommunications Services Provision
Ceisteanna (50)
Martin Heydon
Ceist:50. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the work of the implementation group overseeing the rollout of the 40 actions contained in the taskforce on mobile phone and broadband to help to address shortfalls in coverage in the amber areas of the national broadband plan in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21892/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland where telecommunications networks are not always delivering the services people expect. Recognising this frustration, I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force. In July 2016, I established the Task Force together with Minister Humphreys to identify immediate solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the NBP State intervention. The report of the Task Force was published in December and is available on my Department's website.
In producing this report, the Task Force worked with Departments, local authorities, ComReg, State agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders. The report contains 40 actions that will alleviate some of the telecommunications deficits across Ireland and the implementation programme on mobile phone and broadband access identifies 19 of these actions as areas where immediate and direct action by Departments and State agencies can ensure accelerated benefits to consumers.
Implementation of the actions identified by the Taskforce will allow the business opportunities and benefits that the growth in the digital economy is bringing to be felt across the entire country. It will also assist in the creation of a digital infrastructure that can support this growth, and that can provide nationwide coverage with sufficient capacity to ensure that data can flow at the volume, speed and reliability required to meet the demands of modern life. Implementation of these actions will also assist local authorities in preparing for the roll-out of the new NBP network once contracts are in place.
In order to maintain momentum created by the Task Force, I, together with Minister Humphreys, have established an Implementation Group. This group is driving and monitoring the implementation of the actions, bringing together all key stakeholders identified in the Task Force report with responsibility for delivery. This group will be formally reporting every 90 days on progress made on all actions to both myself and Minister Humphreys.
The first meeting of the Implementation Group took place on 8 March, and was followed by a series of bilateral meetings with action holders. These discussions have formed the basis of the first quarterly progress report, which I together with Minister Humphreys expect to publish shortly. This report will show that considerable progress has been made, particularly in relation to the implementation of actions identified for Q1 2017.
The Implementation Group is also tasked with comprehensively reviewing progress made after twelve months, and producing an annual report summarising progress across all actions. The Group is also mandated to recommend further actions that would result in an improved service for consumers.
The benefits that the implementation of the actions in the Task Force report will bring will be felt across Ireland, including in the AMBER NBP Intervention Area.
Questions Nos. 51 to 54, inclusive, answered orally.