Results 10,561-10,580 of 16,457 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2021 I secured government agreement to publish the general scheme of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill. The Bill will provide for a key principle from the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, namely that preventing crime and harm and making our communities safer does not rest with An Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, tackling drug dealing and organised criminal activity is a key priority for the Government and for An Garda Síochána.  The Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including operational decisions and the deployment of resources to address drug crime. As Minister, I have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: Stalking is a traumatic and profoundly intrusive crime. It can cause devastating psychological harm, and may also be a precursor to acts of serious physical violence. It is important to emphasise that stalking behaviour can be, and is, prosecuted under section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act 1997 and that it carries a sentence of up to 10 years.  That said, I am...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: Issues which arise from international surrogacy arrangements raise important questions in respect of rights and ethics, and concern areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments. I have had ongoing engagement and discussion with the Minister for Health, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Attorney General on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Council (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the judiciary are, under the Constitution, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. The conduct of court business is entirely a matter for the Chief Justice and the Presidents of the Courts.  Judicial conduct and ethical guidelines are the responsibility of the Judicial Council. As per section 6 of the Judicial Council Act 2019, the Judicial...

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

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that I received Government approval in December 2021 for new regulations amending the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013, in advance of a new Garda recruitment competition which commenced this month. The new Regulations contain technical amendments to reflect changes in legislation, and also to revise the language requirement for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: The General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2021 was published on 16 April 2021 and it can be accessed on my Department's website. Following its publication in April 2021, the General Scheme was referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice for pre-legislative scrutiny, which took place on 17 November 2021. The report of the Committee is awaited. The...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: Before coming to work in Ireland for a period greater than 90 days, a non EEA national must have a contract of employment and then apply for the relevant work permission from the Department of Justice, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) or the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). If the relevant work permission is granted and if the person is a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: The review of the Defamation Act 2009 is a legislative priority for the Government. The Programme for Government contains a specific commitment to “review and reform defamation laws to ensure a balanced approach to the right to freedom of expression, the right to protection of good name and reputation, and the right of access to justice”. The Government Legislation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Personal Injury Claims (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: The cross-governmental Action Plan for Insurance Reform is designed to bring down costs for consumers and business; introduce more competition into the market; prevent fraud and reduce the burden on business, community and voluntary organisations. It includes actions to be taken by my Department, the Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Government is determined to tackle anti-social behaviour and I am very conscious of the impact it can have on the quality of life for local communities, including in Dublin city centre. We want people to feel safe and be safe, whether they live or work in Dublin or want to visit and enjoy our capital city. The Deputy will be aware that Budget 2022 includes significant additional...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Electronic Tagging (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, the Criminal Justice Act 2006 contains provisions for the introduction of Electronic Monitoring in this jurisdiction. Section 101 concerns Restriction of Movement Orders and subsection 10 provides the stipulation that a person may be subjected to electronic monitoring as part of the conditions of the order.  Under section 108, Temporary Release of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that the Government is determined to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviour. I am very conscious of the repercussions that such behaviour can have on the quality of life for residents in local communities. It is important that people feel safe and are safe in their communities. There are a number of policy approaches ongoing, including the Local Community Safety...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Judiciary are independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and we must give full respect to the separation of powers as enshrined in the Constitution. Section 6 of the Judicial Council Act provides the Judicial Council is, subject to the provisions of the Act, independent in the exercise of its functions and as Minister I have no role in the...

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

Helen McEntee: At this time when we celebrate a centenary of service by the members and staff of An Garda Síochána, I am very pleased that the Government is in a position to continue to increase the number of Gardaí on our streets and last week a new recruitment competition was launched by An Garda Síochána through the Public Appointments Service. Budget 2022 includes an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: My thoughts are with the victims of the recent horrific attacks in their own homes. I know I speak for everyone in this House in utterly condemning these senseless and cowardly attacks and also in my belief that the perpetrators must be brought to justice.  Incidents like these, although rare, are terrifying not only for the victim themselves but for the...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.  I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under...

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

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 160 together. I was pleased to open the landmark Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme for applications on 31 January. Applications will be accepted for six months until 31 July, when the scheme will close.  The scheme includes a parallel strand, which opened for applications on 7 February 2022, to implement the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (17 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: Tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and providing supports for victims is a priority for me as Minister and for Government. Since my appointment I have been continuously working with my colleagues and with our partners to ensure that we have robust legislation, policies and infrastructure that can support and assist victims and hold perpetrators to account. With regard to the...