Results 9,461-9,480 of 16,457 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Priorities (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. Delivering family justice more effectively is a priority for me and is a major element of my Justice Plan 2022. The report of the joint Oireachtas committee, to which the Deputy referred, made 38 recommendations across a range of areas in family justice relating to the family court structure; the specialisation and training of professionals,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Priorities (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I absolutely agree. Unfortunately, when it gets to a court setting, there are situations where the process has most likely become adversarial, and in many cases - although, not always - other avenues, such as mediation, have been tried. Before Covid, people would sit across from each other in tight spaces, many of whom would be waiting all day for their case to be heard. At the end of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Priorities (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: On the Deputy's final point, and it is a significant point, we need to make sure that the system is well resourced. We can introduce legislation, but we also need to ensure that the structures and the judges are in place. I believe that in the Deputy's own county recently, a number of sittings had to be cancelled simply because the judge was sick. We need to ensure that through the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. I assure him that along with the Government, I am particularly committed to ensuring there is strong, visible policing throughout the country. The budget provided by Government to the Garda this year is the largest to date, with an allocation of more than €2 billion for 2022.  I have just come from an event in the Gresham Hotel to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: It is important to put on the record that the average length of time a life sentence prisoner will serve is approximately 20 years. The length of time before such prisoners can come before the parole board is now 12 years, which has increased from nine years. The period of 20 years acknowledges that people do serve this length of time. For me what is important is not only making sure the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: There is a balance with restorative justice and making sure we are focused on trying to reform people, particularly where heinous crimes have been committed. At the same time I believe the punishment should match the crime. This is why I want to give greater discretion to judges. We have also seen changes in recent times for burglary. The maximum sentence is 14 years but for aggravated...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The programme for Government contains a broad range of policies and proposals that represent a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a more safe and just society. To deliver a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland, we must have a system that has all the necessary tools to ensure that, after due process has been served, the sentence handed down...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: My Department opened the once-in-a generation scheme for the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants in the State on 31 January 2022 for a six month period. The scheme is designed, following detailed engagement with the people affected, to give long-term undocumented people without a current immigration permission the chance to regularise their status,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, retired Judge Gerard Haughton has been conducting a scoping exercise into the tragic circumstances surrounding Shane O'Farrell's death. The purpose of this exercise is to advise as to whether any further investigation or inquiry beyond those already carried out is necessary and, if so, to advise on the form of such investigation or inquiry and its terms of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: Tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence is a priority for Government. We are committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the legislation, equipment and training necessary to combat all forms of DSGBV and support victims and survivors. I have also prioritised work in my Department to strengthen the criminal law in this area, including through the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: The government is committed to ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will have access to a refuge space. I fully acknowledge the need for a significant increase the provision of refuge spaces and I am committed to achieving this in order to ensure that victims have a safe place when they need it.   As the Deputy will be aware, Tusla, the Child and Family...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: Community safety is about people being safe and, importantly, feeling safe within their communities. Ireland is generally regarded as a safe country in international terms, with relatively low crime rates and a general feeling of safety and security. However, we recognise that this is not the case in every community and that people living in disadvantaged areas can experience a different...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: Last week, I received Government approval to seek to further extend the operation of outdoor seating areas as licensed premises plan for the busy summer months. As the Deputy will be aware, the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 was enacted in July 2021, to address issues concerning the sale and supply of alcohol in certain outdoor seating areas.  The legislation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to ensuring that people both feel safe and are safe in their communities. Both the Programme for Government, as well as the Justice Plan 2022, contain a number of commitments to tackle crime and improve community safety, including the ongoing prioritisation of the work of the Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour, charged with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: As I have indicated previously, I consider that any inappropriate cancellation of 999 calls is a very serious issue. This falls significantly below the high standards that the public expect from the Gardaí and the high standards that An Garda Síochána set for themselves. The Garda Commissioner has assured me that when someone calls 999 now, they can expect and trust that An...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Government is acutely aware of the significant and sustained damage that drug dealing inflicts on communities across the country. Organised criminal activity, including drug dealing, represents a serious threat to community safety. As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that tackling organised criminal gangs and diverting children away from criminal activity is a key priority for the Government and an ongoing priority for An Garda Síochána. The exploitation of young people and children is a particular concern. I am very conscious of the repercussions that criminal activity can have on the quality of life for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter as protecting and supporting victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a key priority for me as Minister. When someone who has suffered any form of DSGBV comes forward and turns to our legal and courts process, we know this can be an incredibly daunting prospect. We need to ensure we have a system that does...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of Garda members throughout the State.  The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am sure the Deputy will join me in condemning any assaults made on our frontline workers. I would encourage anyone with knowledge of such offences to report this information to their local/nearest Garda station. It is imperative that frontline workers are protected in carrying out their work and that the law reflects and responds to the situations in which they find themselves.  ...