Results 20,141-20,160 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Competition Law (25 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department obtained advice on the issue of civil fines from the Office of the Attorney General to the effect that civil fines are not provided for in Irish law for anti-competitive practices having regard to Article 38.1 of the Constitution which provides that no person shall be tried on any criminal charge save in due course of law. In that context any national legislation to introduce...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: International Bodies Membership (25 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following the unveiling of Budget 2018 by the Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform on the 10th October, I set out details of my department's spending plans for 2018. I announced that the increased capital allocation for innovation will enable Ireland to join the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in 2018. Regrettably, due to the tight fiscal constraints on the budget and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Work Permits Eligibility (25 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The State’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the State and other EEA states. Ireland operates an employment permits regime that: - focuses on key sectors and skills shortages, especially in economically strategic enterprises with potential for jobs growth, - adheres to the principle of community preference and avoids...

Leaders' Questions (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: In relation to this sorry saga, trust has to be earned by the banks. At this point, the people's trust has been deeply shattered. As with Deputy O'Callaghan, my thoughts this morning are with each family that has been impacted by this issue. While the numbers involved are in the thousands, the impact is felt at a personal level. It has been heartbreaking for countless families across the...

Leaders' Questions (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: What is needed is action to ensure that the people who have suffered most - those families who have been so impacted by this scandalous behaviour - get redress. That is what the Government is focusing on over the next number of months to ensure there is a speedy response for these families. That is the action which has clearly been taken. What we have now is a deadline for dealing with...

Leaders' Questions (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy McDonald. There is a long history in this country and, indeed, elsewhere of difficulty in securing convictions in respect of sexual offences. There is also a long history here and elsewhere of a belief that the sentencing does not reflect the seriousness of the crime. I am on record again and again as saying that I do not believe that enough attention has been paid to...

Leaders' Questions (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Clearly, in court the issues in each case have to be examined but I take the view, as does the Deputy, that consistency of sentencing is an important issue. The approach we have taken is to publish the Judicial Council Bill 2017, under which a sentencing information committee will be established to collate information on sentences imposed by the courts and to disseminate information among...

Leaders' Questions (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I think everyone in the House agrees with the Deputy's description of what has happened. He, more than most in the House-----

Leaders' Questions (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----knows the issues which we as a Government have had to deal with over the past number of years in relation to the banking situation in this country. Tough and difficult action had to be taken and every family in this country has paid the price for the reckless behaviour of our banks in the past. The Deputy knows the range of initiatives which have been taken to ensure that there the...

Leaders' Questions (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I repeat that we are in the middle of a process of determining the total scale of the issues which have come to our attention and, again, I commend those who had the courage of their convictions and shone a light on this issue. The personal stories have shone a light on this in a way nothing else could. If the Central Bank is not satisfied with the progress that has been made by December,...

Leaders' Questions (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is a combination. If there has been fraud, it has to be dealt with in the normal way. Any individual who suspects fraud can report it to An Garda Síochána and the Garda has to make an assessment. In line with proper procedures, it has to be examined and the evidence brought forth if there is to be a criminal prosecution. Make no mistake but there is no question of any sort of...

Leaders' Questions (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We all recognise that the types of incidents and anti-social behaviour the Deputy describes are extremely disturbing for communities and create great dangers for citizens, whether in parks or on our streets. To ensure that we have the visible policing presence we need, this Government and that which preceded it have ensured the recruitment of new gardaí. The Deputy's statement that...

Leaders' Questions (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We all know the pressure our emergency services face during the Hallowe'en period. I can only agree with the Deputy that we should urge people to engage in safe behaviour and get involved in the many activities local councils across Dublin are organising to ensure we do not have the types of dangerous incidents that have resulted in many children ending up in Temple Street and Crumlin...

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The heads of the Bill will be published during this session.

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, to respond.

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will bring the Deputy's remarks to the attention of the Taoiseach because the amount of detailed work that needs to be done in advance of referendums is very obvious from recent events, as we have seen in other countries. I will ask the Taoiseach to liaise with the Deputy and the leaders of the Opposition regarding the plans for referendums in this country.

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: If there has been a criminal act, clearly, the criminal law and An Garda Síochána must investigate that. People in the banking sector have been before our courts previously so what Deputy Boyd Barrett is saying is not accurate. There is a law there. If a fraud has been committed, clearly, the normal rules of criminal investigation must be undertaken and put in place.

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Let us be very clear that everybody who has been involved with this project, including the Government, holds the strong view that safety is paramount with regard to this project to ensure that children, parents and staff operate within a safe environment. The board has also indicated that the provision of fire sprinkler protection planned for the new children's hospital will exceed the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes, work on that legislation is underway. I will convey the Deputy's concerns about its urgency to the Minister for Finance.

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is no better man to answer the point the Deputy made and no doubt he will be on the rota for the Order of Business. As the Deputy is aware, a separate committee has been established to deal with the issues that come under the remit of his Department.