Results 1,041-1,060 of 9,148 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions. This Government is committed to tackle anti social behaviour in our communities by ensuring that An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Bench Warrants (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 519, 520, 521 and 522 together. It is a central priority for me as Minister that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. The removal of persons in the immigration system who are involved in criminality or who are a danger to society is an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that our people have confidence in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters and the administration of the PULSE system. As Minister, I have no role in decisions related to the information recorded on PULSE. I am advised by the Garda authorities that where...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 524, 525 and 526 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. I can advise the Deputy that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is important to emphasise firstly that the conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. Judges are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, including sentencing. The Judicial Council Act 2019 established an independent Judicial Council, and, within that body, a Sentencing Guidelines and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is important to emphasise that the conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. The courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, including sentencing. The Judicial Council Act 2019 provided for the establishment of an independent Judicial Council, and, within that body, a Sentencing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Neither my Department, nor any of its aegis bodies, have been in receipt of funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) during the period specified.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes the enforcement of all applicable legislation. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, however, this was...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The State Claims Agency (SCA) manages personal injury and third-party property damage claims against the State and State authorities, including An Garda Síochána. The SCA also manages claims for legal costs against the State and State authorities. Each claim is assessed on its own merits by the State Claims Agency. I have no remit over the agency as Minister for Justice, and any...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Abortion Services (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The right to protest is guaranteed under the Constitution. Of course, people do not have the right to behave in a way that causes others to fear for their safety, and An Garda Síochána monitors protest activity where there is potential for breaches of public order. The rule of law, human rights and the principle of proportionality are respected at all times. The policing of any...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Official Engagements (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to my engagements since being appointed as Minister is contained in the attached document. In relation to Minster Helen McEntee and Minister of State James Browne, their diaries up to the end of 2024 are published at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/collection/ab070-ministerial-diaries/. In addition, Minister Browne attended the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 saw unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority for this Government, for the Department and for the Garda Commissioner. 'Zero Tolerance,' the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), set out an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 538 to 540, inclusive, together. The sudden loss in 2011 of Shane O'Farrell at such a young age, with his whole life ahead of him, is a desperate tragedy for all those who knew and loved him and one which will always be an immense source of grief in their lives. The report of former Judge Gerard Haughton arising from the Scoping Exercise into the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reports (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The research titled “Research Report: An Evidence Review on Ethnic Monitoring in the Criminal Justice System," commissioned by the Department in 2022 was conducted by Maynooth University and Bracken from the University of Manitoba to, explores how other jurisdictions implement ethnic monitoring in criminal justice systems, providing insights to inform policy deliberations in the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Tackling serious and organised crime is a key priority for me as Minister for Justice, and I am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe. The unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion for 2025 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department currently has very positive gender equality throughout its staffing cohort as recorded in its Gender Pay Gap report for 2024 published last December. My Department has been implementing its first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy since 2022 to strengthen its capability to promote equality, diversity and inclusion, not only...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Official Engagements (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A call has been arranged with the Home Secretary for the beginning of March. I was pleased to meet the UK Ambassador on 17 February and a call has been scheduled with the UK Home Secretary at the beginning of March. My Department is represented at Counsellor level in the Irish Embassy in London and senior officials in my Department engage very regularly with their counterparts in the Home...