Results 6,501-6,520 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Legal Cases Data (13 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that a plenary Summons has been served against my Department in respect of one such case.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Conventions Ratification (14 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer the Deputy to the response given by my colleague, Minister of State Kathleen Lynch on 27 February 2014, in which she informed the House that the Government intends to proceed to ratification of the Convention as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are met. As the Deputy may be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (14 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: In light of public safety concerns highlighted by An Garda Síochána and difficulties in the interpretation of the legislation expressed by members of the judiciary, my Department is currently examining key policy, legislative, administrative and other issues relating to firearms licensing in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. I expect to receive and consider a report in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Military Aircraft Landings (14 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: An Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP). In practice this means that they provide assistance to An Garda Síochána when requested by the Gardaí to do so. It is a decision for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Trafficking (14 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 164 together. The Deputies will appreciate that I have not yet had an opportunity to review this matter. Following the publication of the report of the Justice Committee in June last year, the committee was requested to clarify and elaborate some of its recommendations for a new approach to prostitution legislation. The relevant correspondence with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (14 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 150, 155, 156 and 160 to 162, inclusive, together. As Deputies are aware, the Government is committed under the Programme for Government to comprehensively reform the current immigration, residence and protection systems, including an independent appeals system in immigration cases. I will be reviewing the work done to date in respect of the Immigration,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Racism Measures (14 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 163 together. The Government is firmly committed to combating and challenging any and all manifestations of racism and welcomes the contribution which the Immigrant Council of Ireland and others are making to this work. I understand that the reports to which the Deputies' questions refer are preliminary figures released by the Immigrant Council on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (14 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152, 153 and 154 together. Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 was adopted in June 2013 and applies to applications for international protection lodged as from 1 January 2014. This Regulation is generally referred to as the Dublin Regulation and establishes the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seeker Accommodation (14 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Clondalkin Towers asylum accommodation centre is one of five centres located within the Dublin area currently under contract to the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA), a functional unit of the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department. That centre currently accommodates 222 persons. Overall, almost 4,300 asylum seekers are accommodated in 34 centres...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting of Personnel (14 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy may wish to note that the current average processing time for vetting applications is four weeks which is a significant improvement on this time last year when it stood at 12 weeks. Vetting procedures in this country are in place to protect children and vulnerable adults. As such they demand rigorous procedures to ensure their integrity and to maintain the highest level of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Sector Pensions (14 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have received a copy of the survey in question and noted its contents. There are no plans to change the current pension arrangements in the public service in general or in An Garda Síochána in particular. In this regard it should be noted that the new single public service pension scheme was introduced in 2013. I must also point out that over the course of our recovery from the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Equality Issues (14 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Equality legislation on age discrimination is kept under regular review by my Department, particularly in the light of national and European case law and advice of the Equality Tribunal. The Court of Justice of the European Union has clarified in a series of decisions in the context of EU Directive 2000/78/EC that national rules on retirement ages may be set down if they are objectively and...

Guerin Report: Statements (15 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the opportunity to give my response to the report by Mr. Seán Guerin of his review of the action taken by An Garda Síochána pertaining to certain allegations. The report contains deeply disturbing findings. It raises fundamental issues about the Garda Síochána, its investigation of criminal cases and the responses to serious concerns raised about it, Garda...

Guerin Report: Statements (15 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: We understand. It could happen to anybody.

Guerin Report: Statements (15 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Partly, perhaps.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (15 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 193 together. The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 has not yet been commenced. This is because elements of the Act relating to the disclosure of convictions require amendment having regard to a recent judgment of the UK Court of Appeal (T and others v Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, 2013). The UK Court...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (15 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am considering this matter in the wider context of allegations of Garda misconduct currently on hand, with a view to determining an appropriate response in each case.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service Expenditure (15 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the Act, the grant of legal aid entitles the applicant to the services of a solicitor and, in certain circumstances, up to two counsel, in the preparation and conduct of their defence or appeal. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (15 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations (15 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission was established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to provide independent oversight of complaints made against members of the Garda Síochána. The Garda Ombudsman Commission has a hugely important role in ensuring that public confidence in the Garda Síochána is safeguarded, and has extensive powers under the 2005...