Results 15,521-15,540 of 17,803 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the statutory framework relating to young offenders and the Garda Diversion Programme is set out in the Children Act 2001. The nationwide network of Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) is supported by my Department. GYDPs are community-based, multi-agency, crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people who have become involved in criminal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 326, 335 and 336 together. The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Equality Issues (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Employment Equality Acts 1998–2015 outlaw discrimination in a wide range of employment and employment-related areas. These Acts aim to protect workers against certain types of discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment that could occur in the course of their working life. The legislation promotes equality in the workplace and bans discrimination across nine different grounds....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has developed guidelines ‘Working from Home during COVID-19 – Guidance for Civil Service Organisations’. These guidelines, which are due to issue shortly, are intended to assist civil service organisations as long as necessary to address the health and safety risks of COVID-19. Further details on the development of this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Services (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that combatting domestic abuse is a priority for me and my Department. It is also an important aspect of the National Strategy for Women and Girls and the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. At an early stage in the Covid-19 pandemic and in recognition of the added risk of domestic abuse which some people face in that context, my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: While the employment details of staff at accommodation centres is a matter for the owners of those centres, I have been informed that the new manager of the accommodation centre mentioned by the Deputy is fully vetted and has completed the requisite training.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. The scheduling and hearing of court cases is a matter for the Presidents of the Courts and the presiding Judges. To be of assistance, I have had enquiries made with the Courts Service who have confirmed that anyone with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policy Functions (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can confirm that I, as Minister for Justice, am responsible for policy in relation to the policing and security of the State. Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and I have no function in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Visiting Regulations (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am acutely aware of the supportive role that families and friends play in the rehabilitation of prisoners and in their preparation for life in the community after release from prison. I understand that, with this in mind, the Irish Prison Service continued to facilitate physical family visits to prisons for as long as it was safe to do so. However, the Covid-19 pandemic clearly...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 337 to 339, inclusive, together. At the outset it is important to be clear that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and control of An Garda Síochána and for the effective and efficient use of Garda resources. Further, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I would like to express my deepest condolences to all of those who have lost loved ones during the current pandemic. Deaths which have occurred due to COVID-19 infection are due to natural causes. While decisions on the necessity to carry out an inquest into any death are at the discretion of the Coroner, inquests are not carried out into deaths due to natural causes.

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (29 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I congratulate the Cathaoirleach and I wish him well in his new role. I offer my warmest congratulations to all Senators, especially those who are taking up their seats for the first time. I wish them all well. I acknowledge the huge honour that it is for me to serve the State as Minister for Justice. It is a somewhat daunting task but it is one I am looking forward to and I hope to make...

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (29 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank Senators for their time and for moving quickly given, as many have mentioned, we are close to the wire. I am very grateful to the House for its consideration of these two motions and I thank Senators on all sides for their contributions to the debate on both. Naturally, I welcome the support expressed by all of the speakers for continuing these provisions and I appreciate the shared...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: Again, there has been no change in terms of state aid or any of the parameters for the negotiations.

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: To correct the record for Deputy Harkin, there is an additional €200 million on top of the sum in question. Therefore, the overall figure is €650 million.

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: In state aid. I will get the details and have them sent to the Deputy. On Deputy Cian O'Callaghan’s questions, contrary to reports, the USA has not pulled out of the OECD process. It has raised concerns about the timeframe and the implementation. It has sought an extension of the overall discussion. At European level, France, Italy and Spain have been asked to pause their...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will take the time, if I may, because there are a number of issues that may not have been touched on. I join colleagues in offering my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Detective Garda Colm Horkan. It is a sad day if a member of An Garda Síochána goes to work and unfortunately does not return home. I thank the gardaí for the work they do...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: On our overall ask with Belgium in respect of Brexit and what that means for the MFF and the recovery fund, what we have consistently asked for is flexibility within the budget-----

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: We are still at that stage. This was the first time that EU leaders had an opportunity to meet since the presentation of the recovery fund and the new MFF proposals. The Taoiseach reiterated our position that there would need to be flexibility within the budget and raised the fact that, although we are talking about front-loading many of the funds and immediate funding is required, if any...