Results 40,581-40,600 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Ríordáin for the question. Under the national development plan, the Government is committed to investing significant levels of capital funding into An Garda Síochána to deliver a Garda station modernisation and refurbishment programme, to delivering strategic ICT and digitalisation projects, and to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose Garda fleet. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I can and often, when I outline the law as to the responsibilities of the Commissioner versus me, it is not to recuse myself of interest in a project. Deputy Ó Ríordáin, who raises this on a regular basis, knows this is a major commitment in the national development plan. The Northern Cross project is a commitment under the national development plan. The Office of Public...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I respectfully suggest that we should allow the discussions between the Garda, the OPW and Dublin City Council to conclude. This will then enable them to prepare for planning with a view to bringing forward planning in 2024 potentially. This is the window or timeframe that we potentially have. Of course it will be important that local communities are updated and kept engaged and informed...

Organised Crime: Statements (20 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to discuss the impact of gangland and organised crime on communities across the country. It is a timely discussion as the Government sets to introduce tougher laws to further support An Garda Síochána in taking on the gangs that try to inflict misery on communities. I am pleased to report that significant progress has been...

Organised Crime: Statements (20 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: That is the point

Organised Crime: Statements (20 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Members for contributing to the debate. I want to begin on the topic of drugs because we have had a good discussion on this during the debate. It is an important one. I have listened very carefully to what people have said. People have spoken from different perspectives. I am conscious that Citizens’ Assembly proceedings are under way and have no doubt that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. Since 2015, the Government has increased the budget for An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment. As the Deputy will be aware,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Border Management Unit of my Department performs an essential service in preventing illegal immigration and maintaining the security of our borders.  Very properly, the exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights, as well as for the dignity of each individual passenger.  BMU officers receive extensive training and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána including HR matters. However, I can assure the Deputy that Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the resources they need to perform their vital role in the community. It is important to emphasise that, of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are important matters that must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate. We can all agree that any acts of violence and anti-social behaviour are completely unacceptable. I want to make it...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that the HSE / National Forensic Mental Health Service provides in-reach psychiatric services to the Irish Prison Service. This direct service includes dedicated Clinical Forensic Consultants, Community Forensic Mental Health Nurses, Social Workers and administrative staff. In 2022, the cost associated with this service was €1.9 million and I am informed that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, in June of last year Government launched Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. In line with the priority which we are attaching to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence, we will double the number of refuge spaces over the lifetime of the strategy, bringing it to 280. This will be the fastest ever...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: If a person does not produce a valid passport, or other equivalent document, an Immigration Officer may refuse the person leave to land in accordance with Section 4 of the Immigration Act 2004. When a person is refused leave to land at an airport, the priority is to return them on the next available return flight to the last point of embarkation. If a person indicates or is identified as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I am sure the Deputy will agree that the public is immensely grateful to An Garda Síochána for their outstanding dedication and commitment and for the important role that they play in our society. I am pleased to note the consistently high levels of public trust recorded in our Gardaí. The unprecedented funding of over €2.24 billion to An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána including HR matters. However, I can assure the Deputy that Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the resources they need to perform their vital role in the community. It is important to emphasise that,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).    The Border Management Unit and the GNIB work closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers possess correct documentation when boarding...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Applications (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy may be aware, the Probate Office is an office of the High Court. Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in its functions. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in 14 provincial court offices, and these office holders are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 89 together. I can assure the Deputy that the Prison Service and I are committed to providing safe and secure custody for all people committed to prison and officials in my Department and in the Irish Prison Service continuously work together to identify short, medium and longer term proposals to help manage capacity issues in our prisons as they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 77 together. The safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are important matters that must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate. We can all agree that any acts of violence and anti-social...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is very conscious of the commitment to deliver effective data protection regulation and protection of the data privacy rights of EU citizens. The Programme for Government commits to ‘recognise the domestic and international importance of data protection in Ireland’ and states that the Government ‘will ensure that Ireland delivers on its responsibilities...