Results 2,581-2,600 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Seanad: Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will not hold it against the Cathaoirleach. I sincerely thank all Senators for their support of this legislation, which is genuinely appreciated. This is the first Bill I have brought through the Houses and I am under no illusion it will always be the case that the legislation will pass as quickly, but I appreciate Senators' support in that regard. I take on board the points that have...

Seanad: Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. These are not ideal circumstances in which to pass legislation.These measures, however, are different. It is not just, as Senator Ward has outlined, that they are contingencies for unforeseen eventualities. They are also changes, many of which have been sought for some time, that happened to be needed to try to deal with Covid and to ensure there...

Seanad: Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I apologise as I had intended to address this issue in my previous remarks. These provisions are not meant as an attack. What is envisaged by them is nothing more than what is set out here. The intention is that this should be an alternative. It is not meant as a replacement. The rules of court may provide for a statement of truth in place of an affidavit but this is obviously where the...

Seanad: Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I wish to reassure the Senator that this is not a pluralist measure but a reform that allows the rules of court to be made, allowing a statement of truth to be made and communicated electronically. It is not in place of swearing an affidavit or oath.

Seanad: Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Earlier, I outlined the provisions of the Bill on Second Stage and informed the House I would bring in this amendment. It is a small technical amendment. Section 31 provides for the designation of bodies by relevant Minsters for the purposes of holding hearings remotely. Under the provisions the Ministers may designate bodies that may hold remote hearings, and persons who would otherwise...

Seanad: Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Section 31 of the Bill provides for the designation of bodies by relevant Ministers for the purpose of holding meetings remotely. A person required to attend a hearing in person shall be required to do so by remote means and the designated body shall have the power to make any arrangements to conduct the hearings by remote means. Designated bodies will also have the power to determine,...

Seanad: Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank all Senators for their co-operation and look forward to working with them in the years ahead.

Perjury and Related Offences Bill [Seanad] 2018: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Regional Group of Deputies for moving the motion in the House this evening. I am pleased to inform the House that the Government supports the motion and is fully committed to enacting the Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018 as soon as possible. The importance the Government attaches to this legislation is reflected in our commitment to enact it in the current programme for...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Maternity Leave (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the law now stands, a mother is entitled to paid maternity leave of up to 26 weeks, and up to a further 16 weeks of unpaid leave.  Any amendment to the legislation governing the provision of maternity leave, which falls under my responsibility, would require primary legislation.  The provision of maternity benefit  is under the remit of the Minister for Employment...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Direct Provision System (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 262 together. The International Protection Procurement Services (IPPS) unit of the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department is responsible for the procurement, contract management, inspection and payments functions associated with the accommodation provided to persons seeking international protection. The two tables...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Citizenship Applications (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Crime Prevention (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am aware of the newspaper article referred to by the Deputy. I can inform the Deputy that the audit referenced in the article was commenced by my Department in 2019 and is currently being finalised. The funding provided by my Department to the organisation referenced in the article is used to support rural communities in the fight against crime and to develop...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Visa Applications (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: In March, the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department temporarily suspended the processing of all non-priority visas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included processing in our seven Visa Offices stationed abroad and in Irish consular missions. A limited resumption of visa services commenced from 22 June 2020. During this initial resumption...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Covid-19 Pandemic (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for securing Ireland’s border at Dublin Airport in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Acts and Orders as they relate to entry and refusal of entry to the State. The Unit has also been collecting and checking Public Health Passenger Locator Forms at Dublin Airport, and undertaking follow-up phone...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Freedom of Information (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Due to the timeframe for processing requests under the FOI Act, there will always be a number of live cases on hand at the end of each month which are carried forward.  This also applies to cases on hand at the end of each year which have to be finalised in the following calendar year. 2020...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Refugee Status (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Community Sponsorship Ireland is a new community based sponsorship programme which invites members of the public to play a key role in the integration of refugees into Irish society. Under the programme, private citizens and community based organisations provide direct support and assistance to refugees settling in their locality through a structured programme of supports.  To...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Direct Provision System (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: During the school year, the centre to which the Deputy refers runs a daily bus into Wicklow Town for adult education classes (twice daily on Tuesday and Wednesday). The centre also runs a daily bus to Ashford crèche for the afternoon session.  In addition the following transport service is available for residents of the accommodation centre: - A bus leaves the...

Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am happy to present this Bill. It is the Government's intention to progress this Bill through all Stages and I look forward to engaging with Deputies in that regard. This important legislation constitutes the Government's response to the challenges posed to our courts and legal systems by the current pandemic. The Bill goes beyond the...

Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The provisions of Part 1 of the Bill are standard in nature and common to nearly all legislation. Part 2 of the Bill contains urgent amendments to the Coroners Act 1962. The main provisions at sections 7 and 8 provide new powers for the Minister to authorise temporary additional capacity in the coroner system as necessary to meet the risks and challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic....

Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: It should be.