Results 3,641-3,660 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Again, I have outlined that a decision was taken by the interim Government not to appoint anybody except to the presidency of the High Court because of the obligations on the presidency and the requirement for that.. The decision was taken not to appoint anybody else. However, I was made aware on my first day that there was a vacancy, and that it was urgent. Even with that, I made sure...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: In terms of judicial conduct and that process, everything that has been done or needed to be done by myself, the Department and the Government has been done. The terms of reference are now being set out by the Judicial Council. It has a certain period to do that. I am assured it is working on that and will have that done as soon as possible. I assure the Deputy that everything that needed...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can confirm that no one is blocking it. There is a process. There is a timeframe. It is with the Judicial Council which is setting out the terms of reference. I am assured it will come back as soon as possible. From the perspective of this House, everything that has or could be done at this stage, has been.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can only refer to my previous comment. It is often the case where legislation is signed into law, there is a period of time before it is enacted. In this case, it is with the Judicial Council. It is setting out the terms of reference and I have no doubt that when it is done, this process and procedure will get up and running.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Minister of the day asks the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board to set the wheels in motion to make recommendations. However I only do so when I am asked either by the president of the relevant court or the Chief Justice to fill that vacancy. In this instance, there were two; the second only arose only a very short time before I came into this role on 27 June. I was asked to fill one...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can only assume that when the board met that all members of the board were there. I have outlined those who sit on it. I cannot tell the Deputy otherwise, but I assume that each time it meets, a full complement of members meets. That is their obligation.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Formerly, before 2014 or 2015, the process was that the names came directly to the Minister. That has since changed where they go directly to the Office of the Attorney General, but then come directly to my office. I cannot confirm or deny but it is my understanding that they do not stay in the Attorney General's office and that they come directly to my private office.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: My understanding is that they come directly from that office to mine. I do not know whether the Attorney General sees them. These five expressions of interest dated from as far back as 2017 to as recently as June of this year, which, obviously, the former Attorney General would not have been privy to. I understand, again, they go directly from the Office of the Attorney General to mine....

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The process is what it is. As I said, it has changed. The names go to the Office of the Attorney General. Regarding the legislation, the JAAB may recommend the Attorney General for appointment to judicial office. It is clearly stated that this is allowed. As I have said, we all believe that the current process and legislation should be updated, which I am working to achieve. The...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: If I may respond to the last comment-----

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I hope I have clearly stated that a process is followed when appointing a judge to any court, not just the Supreme Court. As Minister for Justice, I have adhered to that process. I will outline it again for absolute clarity. I was appointed as Minister for Justice on 27 June. The following day I received briefings from my Department, one of which outlined that there was a vacancy on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents to regularise their status, bearing in mind European Union and Common Travel Area commitments. The necessary work to give effect to this commitment is currently being advanced in my Department and is being informed by an assessment of international best...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: A number of FOI requests have been received by my Department in recent days in relation to the appointment of a Supreme Court judge. It is the intention of my Department to publish on its website any relevant records, once they have been compiled.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am aware of reports of the incident referred to by the Deputy which I understand is currently under investigation by An Garda Síochána. As such I'm sure the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment further on this matter. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to enact legislation in this area, and I am supporting the progression of the Harassment, Harmful...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commencement of Legislation (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I wish to assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to establishing the new Parole Board as soon as possible. This is an important Programme for Government commitment and is something I have identified as a priority action for my Department. Furthermore, the Government has supported this commitment with funding in our first Budget to make sure this priority is delivered in 2021. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Judicial appointments are made in accordance with Articles 13.9 and 35.1 of the Constitution, by the President acting on the advice of the Government. This is a Constitutional function that cannot be transferred or delegated. The Constitutional prerogative on advising the President on judicial appointments lies with the Government alone. Eligible serving Judges who wish to express an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 329 together. The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an independent statutory body established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. I, as Minister, have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the Ombudsman Commission's remit, such as the direction of investigative priorities....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I recently announced that citizenship ceremonies will be temporarily replaced, while COVID-19 restrictions are in place, with a requirement for citizenship applicants to sign an affidavit declaring loyalty to the State. I can confirm that work is at an advanced stage in my Department on the preparation of regulations under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 to make...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Protection (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, there is no specific legislative provision regarding parental alienation in Irish family law. Section 246 of the Children Act 2001 provides for an offence of frightening, bullying or threatening a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to the child's physical, mental or emotional health or wellbeing. There are also legislative provisions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, Community-based CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006. This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must: 1. be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee, 2. have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data...