Results 4,361-4,380 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Protected Disclosures (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to allow employees to bring alleged wrongdoing to the attention of the appropriate authorities. The Act also affords very important protections to persons making protected disclosures. The protection of those wishing to make a protected disclosure rightly prioritises the confidentiality of the process, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my Department requested further documentation from the person concerned on 31 August 2020. To date, this documentation has not been received. On receipt of the requested documentation, the application for naturalisation will be fully considered with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I recognise the crucial role healthcare workers are continuing to play in responding to the threat of COVID-19. They work in a challenging environment and deal with vulnerable people on a daily basis. Their exceptional commitment has been particularly clear throughout the pandemic, during which they have played a vital part in preventing the spread of COVID-19. All applications for a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015. I can confirm that a report was received from the Tribunal’s chairperson on the matter referred to by the Deputy. Given the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time. Any...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Policing (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government,Our Shared Future, commits to the rapid implementation of the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). My objective is to deliver a new approach to policing and community safety, increasing police visibility in communities and focusing on preventing crime and harm, and delivering a professional, ethical,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but unfortunately it was not possible to compile it in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Eligibility (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 593 and 594 together. A person who was married to an Irish citizen but is now bereaved will need to apply for a Certificate of Naturalisation as a Standard Adult. If granted naturalisation, they will pay the reduced fee of €200 for the Certificate of Naturalisation. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I am informed by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) that over 225 staff members have been employed at one time or another in GSOC since its establishment in May 2007. All of these staff members will have been provided with a level of appropriate training to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to discharge their respective operational and administrative...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that Sections 83 to 101 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, set out rules and processes defining how GSOC must deal with complaints. All complaints received by GSOC are assessed against criteria listed in the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to determine if they are admissible. This process determines whether a complaint is about behaviour which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) was established as a statutorily independent body under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. I, as Minister, have no role or function in the processing or management of complaints which are made to GSOC for investigation. I am informed by GSOC that the table below gives the number of protected disclosures...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I am assured by the Garda authorities that the occurrence and prevalence of crime and anti-social behaviour, including drug dealing, is constantly monitored at national and local level by Garda management to ensure that appropriate policing responses are designed and delivered as appropriate. The below tables, furnished to me by An Garda Síochána, contain the number of incidents...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána and deployment of resources. This includes responsibility for personnel matters and the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions, including Roads Policing Units. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Correspondence (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that an inquiry under Section 42 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 was conducted by former Judge Patrick Clyne into the Garda Síochána investigation relating to the death of Mr Patrick Nugent in 1984. I can inform the Deputy that Judge Clyne completed his inquiry on 31 October 2020 and my Department received Judge Clyne’s report on 3...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: In line with the clear commitments both I and the Taoiseach have given, no further Deportation Orders are being enforced during the pandemic, except in circumstances where there are national security or serious public policy concerns. My Department has consistently adopted a pragmatic approach in this area in the context of Covid-19. In line with this commitment, I can further confirm...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility, by law, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources. This includes responsibility for the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions. I am informed by the Garda authorities that Divisional Protective Services Units...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Staff (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: 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. Moreover, Sheriffs (or County Registrars acting as Sheriffs) are officers of the Court and are also independent in the exercise of their functions and duties under statute and rules of court. However, in order to be of assistance...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: For reasons of maintaining full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State. An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I extend my deepest sympathies to all those impacted by the tragic event in Hartstown, and in particular to the family of the late Mr George Nkencho. All fatal shootings are deeply distressing, and I know that the local community are experiencing real trauma as a result of these events. As is the case in every incident involving a member of An Garda Síochána that results in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I am advised that issues raised around the undertaking of particular work by staff members would be dealt with, in the normal course, by the line management of the officer concerned and/or by Human Resources. My Department's HR Division has advised that there are no formal records of staff raising conscience based refusal that they are aware of but that if such a request was received it may...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: 'Coco's Law', which has been enacted as the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, made its way through the Houses of the Oireachtas and was signed into law by the President just before the end of last year. On the 9 February, Safer Internet Day, I signed the commencement order for the Act and the legislation entered into force on 10 February 2021. In advance of...