Results 1,001-1,020 of 9,148 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Meetings (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In February 2024, my predecessor Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, announced the establishment of the Ballymun Implementation Board. The Board is being hosted by Dublin City Council, and includes representatives from the following agencies/organisations: Dublin City Council, An Garda Síochána, Tusla, HSE, City of Dublin Education and Training Board, City of Dublin Youth...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. In 2024 the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) closed around 3,100 appeals in 2024...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Bodies (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 279, 280 and 281 together. My Department holds meetings with individual firearms organisations on request and engages with various firearms stakeholders in other ways, while An Garda Síochána also meets with stakeholder organisations in respect of relevant matters. The Firearms Consultative Panel (FCP) was a non-statutory forum comprising...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Temporary Protection Directive has been extended until March 2026 at a meeting of the European Council in June 2024, thereby providing certainty for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who can continue to avail of the protections that the Directive provides during this time. Consideration as to the arrangements to be put in place following the expiry of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such. There has been a major increase in Garda staff numbers over the last ten years where the number of whole-time equivalents has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the distribution of resources, including Garda fleet, across the various Garda Divisions and National/Specialist Units. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter. The Government is committed to providing An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda equipment. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions. Garda Management was unable to furnish me with the requested figures in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 16 October 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the New Delhi Visa Office on 19 November 2024. It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Communications Surveillance (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that my Department is not aware of covert listening devices being unlawfully present in public places nationwide. I would encourage anyone with any information in relation to any such activity to bring this to the attention of An Garda Síochána.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Protection (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. I know the Deputy appreciates the importance of this task and I am sure he agrees with the need for it to be carried out thoroughly and correctly. I believe the many organisations concerned with the safety, enjoyment and comfort of children and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: 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. As Minister I have role in these matters. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised that the policy in relation to dealing with such matters has been followed and the outcome of an external evaluationis being considered by my Department. Following completion of this process, officials will be in contact with the individual concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the implementation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and the roll out of the new regime for CCTV. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. The Programme For Government commits to expand the number of cameras using Automatic Number Plate Recognition...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Official Engagements (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The information requested by the Deputy with regard to my engagements for the week ending 16 February 2025 is set out in the following table: Monday 10 February 9:30 -10:15 Meeting with ISME 10:45 - 11:15 Clip for Media 11:00 - 11:30 Meeting RE: Local Community Safety Partnerships 14:00 - 15:00 Briefing with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Artificial Intelligence (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department complies with the “Interim Guidelines for Use of AI in the Public Service” issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in February 2024 and also with guidance issued to all Government Departments in June 2023 by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in relation to the cyber security aspects. To further support our modernisation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department is working closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to ensure that Ireland's labour market migration arrangements are fair, efficient and meet the needs of our economy and society. Currently, a person from outside the European Economic Area wishing to work in Ireland must make an application to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: There must be a multifaceted response to knife crime. One of the responses has to be ensuring that we have greater numbers of gardaí on the streets to seize knives. Last year, over 2,100 knives were seized by An Garda Síochána. That is part of the solution. Another part has to be powers for An Garda Síochána in order that gardaí can stop and search people...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I raised that issue in the Department shortly after I was appointed. I am aware that the review has been ongoing. It is not yet completed but I agree with the Deputy regarding the urgency of it being published. I will go back to the Department and find out the date of publication.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have been told by my Department that a contract has been signed in respect of Clonmel Garda station, which, as the Deputy knows, is badly needed. I am also told that it will be finished by the end of 2026, which is very good news. Obviously, we are doing our best to ensure we recruit up to 1,000 gardaí each year. The intention is that they will be spread around the country....

Seanad: EU-UK Youth Experience Scheme: Motion (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Ar dtús báire, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach as a hoifig nua. Is é sin mo chéad uair sa Seanad i gcomhair díospóireachta. Is mór an onóir dom a bheith anseo mar Aire Cirt agus Dlí. Déanaim comhghairdeas freisin le gach Seanadóir atá anseo inniu. This is my first time before Seanad Éireann speaking...