Results 9,581-9,600 of 16,457 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (18 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: All applications made under the Afghan Admissions Programme received by the closing date of 11 March 2022 are currently being processed by my officials. The application for the persons referred to by the Deputy does not appear to have been received by my Department by the closing date. My Department is checking its records and has reached out to the proposer’s legal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (18 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the issue of parental alienation. As the Deputy will be aware, among the recommendations made in the Report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on Reform of the Family Law System was that consideration be given to whether laws should be amended to take into account situations where one parent is wrongfully influencing their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (18 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (18 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy submitted on-line Join Family (Irish national) visa application on 3 January 2022. Processing of this application is ongoing at present. As each application is examined under it's own merits, I am unable to provide an exact timeframe for its completion. In accordance with the provisions of my Department's Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (18 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: The application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, and will be submitted to me for decision in due course. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain...

Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: There are some proposals on that today.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: It has been extended nine times.

Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted to introduce the Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2021 to the House following its passage through Seanad Éireann last week, and I look forward to hearing the contributions from Deputies today. Before I discuss the Bill, I would like to mention an issue that was raised on the Second Stage debate in the Seanad...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising this issue, and particularly for doing so on this day. I express my and this Government’s condolences to the families whose loved ones were killed or injured in the terrible events of 17 May 1974. Those callous acts will always be remembered as the single deadliest day of the Troubles, where 33 people lost their lives, as the Senator mentioned. Many...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for his comments. In respect of the quotation and the comment he has just made, I wish to reassure him and those family members and communities who have campaigned tirelessly on behalf of their loved ones that they will not be forgotten and that they have not been forgotten, despite the fact that almost five decades have passed. As a Government, we have consistently...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Information and Communications Technology (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to the forthcoming Circular Economy and Waste Management (Amendment) Act, which builds on the government’s commitment as set out in the 2020 Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, and the 2021 Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy. The recently published Circular Economy Bill now places that strategy on a statutory footing,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Passport Services (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be appreciate, the Department of Foreign Affairs has responsibility for the Passport Service, including the processing of passport applications. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in relation to this matter, nor do I have any role in operational or administrative matters which fall within the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. I am advised, however, that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I would like to take the opportunity to express my sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of the deceased. The Coroners Service comprises of a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. Coroners are independent quasi-judicial office holders whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. My...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: The application for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time. All applications are processed in chronological order and my officials continue to prioritise applications made by Afghan nationals at this time. The speed in which a decision can be made largely depends on the quality of the application received. My...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: The application for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time. All applications are processed in chronological order and my officials are continuing to prioritise family reunification applications made by Afghan nationals at this time. The speed in which a decision can be made largely depends on the quality of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: European Arrest Warrant (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, it is solely a matter for the High Court to decide whether a European Arrest Warrant received in the State will be executed and/or surrender ordered. Section 9 of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 designates the High Court as the executing judicial authority in the State. The Central Authority in my Department has the function of receiving and transmitting...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 585 to 588, inclusive, together. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no role in the matter. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána as of 30 April 2022 is 14,294. I am informed that of these members, 1,469 (10.27%) have declared competency in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Equal Opportunities Employment (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that my Department and the bodies and agencies under its aegis are committed to ensuring that obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts, 1998-2015 are met, and that all staff have access to equal opportunities surrounding employment, career progression, learning and development and all other aspects of working life. The Deputy may...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (17 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: Ireland is a signatory to the Council of Europe ‘European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees’, which allows the holder of a Convention Travel Document to travel visa free for short stays of up to 90 days in countries that are parties to the Agreement. A holder of a Convention Travel Document is not subject to an Irish visa requirement for short stays of up to 90...