Results 3,361-3,380 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Certificates (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The fees in relation to applications for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011. The fees are in two parts - the current application fee is €175, payable when an application for naturalisation is lodged; and a certification fee which is payable when a certificate of naturalisation issues. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1087, 1088 and 1089 together. The parent, guardian or person who is in loco parentis to a child born in the State without an entitlement to Irish citizenship at birth, may lodge an application for naturalisation on behalf of the child, if and when the conditions for naturalisation are satisfied. This includes a requirement to have a total of 5 years residence...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1090 and 1091 together. I understand the concerns that people have in relation to the purchase for delivery of alcohol products and I am very conscious of the detrimental effects of alcohol dependency on families and society. In terms of assessing whether a review of legislation is required in relation to the delivery of alcohol, it is essential that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The Act distinguishes between the entitlement to citizenship by birth and descent and to the acquisition of citizenship through the naturalisation process. Following a referendum of the Irish people, the 27th amendment to the Constitution changed the situation in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy and will revert directly as soon as it is to hand.

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves that the Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020 (No. 14 of 2020) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on the 9th day of November, 2020 and ending on the 9th day of June, 2021." Deputies will be aware that section 17 of the Act provides that the Act shall continue in operation until 9 November 2020 unless a...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank all Deputies for their contributions. I will touch on a number of the points that have been raised. I cannot accept the proposed amendment and will outline why. Some Deputies have referred to this issue. As much as I would like to say that we will be in a different place in three months and will not need this legislation, if we are all honest with ourselves, that is not where we...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Apologies. There were two things that I did not clarify. If the Garda Commissioner writes to my Department, I am not sure whether or not that can be published but I can certainly check. Regarding game and shooting, there seems to be a suggestion that the gardaí themselves decided that this was not something that could go ahead, which is simply not the case. We have a situation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiries into Garda Activities (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 to 106, inclusive, together. I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the family of Shane Tuohy and I am very conscious of the hurt and pain caused to them by the loss of Shane. In May 2017, Judge Donagh McDonagh was appointed by the then Minister to undertake an Inquiry into the conduct and adequacy of the investigations conducted by An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Charities Regulation (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Law Reform Commission Report on the Civil Liability of Good Samaritans and Volunteers (LRC 93-2009) made a number of recommendations for reform in this area. Part IVA of the Civil Liability Act 1961 (inserted by Part 3 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011) provides statutory protection to Good Samaritans and Volunteers, subject to the provisions of the Act. While...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. The Public Appointments Service (PAS) run the national competitions for Trainee Garda in An Garda Síochána on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. The Garda authorities understand...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy may be aware that entry to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions & Appointments) Regulations, 2013 and Statutory Instrument 470/2013. There are no exemptions granted in relation to any of the regulations contained therein. Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, a person is eligible to apply for admission as a trainee...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residential Property Sales (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 to 113, inclusive, together. There are no plans at present to introduce or amend legislation in this area. However, as with other policy and legislative reforms, interested parties are welcome to make submissions on this matter. The position with regard to gazumping is that instances normally arise where a non-enforceable agreement for the sale of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Status (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Irish Refugee Protection Programme Humanitarian Admission Programme (IHAP), announced in May 2018, is part of the Government's plan to realise the full commitment of 4,000 persons agreed under the first phase of the IRPP in September 2015. The programme allows holders of an international protection status in Ireland, (i.e. refugees with Convention or Programme Refugee status), holders...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Investigation (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together. It should be noted that the Hickson Commission is an independent body and I, as Minister for Justice, have no role in the conduct of its investigation. I am informed by my officials that, in May 2019, having been made aware of the loss of the USB stick containing personal data in relation to the Hickson Commission, my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Based on the information provided it is not clear which immigration permission the person currently holds to support their residency in the state for the last two years. Therefore, while I am unable to provide a detailed response, I have provided some general information that may be of assistance. As the person is an American citizen they do not require a Visa to travel to Ireland and visit...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I wish to apologise for the delay in responding to the initial Parliamentary Question from the Deputy. The Irish Prison Service is committed to the provision of safe, secure and humane custody for people who are sent to prison in this State and the Deputy will be aware of their outstanding record of safeguarding those in their care during the current pandemic. The Chaplaincy Service is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the way the Immigration Service of my Department conducts its business. All operational decisions taken during this time are in line with Government and public health advice. There was a temporary suspension on the acceptance of some visa application, including join-family applications, introduced in March 2020. The Immigration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: There are approximately 21,300 citizenship applications on hand in my Department at various stages of processing within the system, ranging from those just received, to those where a decision has been made but where it has not been possible to hold a ceremony. 5,378 of these applications are over 24 months in process since the application was first submitted. Over 80% of these applications...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána as at 31 October 2020 is 14,549 with an average age of 40. The Deputy may further wish to note that the average age for a Garda is 38, Sergeant is 46, Inspector is 48, Superintendent is 52, Chief Superintendent is 54 and Acting Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner is 57.