Results 6,581-6,600 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: I do, and I do not think the intention of the amendment is to-----

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: In that regard, arrangements can be made for someone to call to a house. “Orally” covers remotely by video as well. As I said, the amendment is not intended to remove that flexibility to call to a house and specify that contact can only be done by video. By making this change, however, that is what the amendment would actually set out. I reiterate that “orally”...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: We will look at the issue.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: Being on a video camera does not determine a person’s location. Being on a telephone call does not determine a person’s location. That comes from speaking to someone and confirming-----

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: -----that the person is who he or she claims to be. Seeing someone in person on camera does not necessarily offer the confirmation being sought either. I can look at the word suggested and see if it covers everything or if there might be room for loopholes. The intention is that there will be a conversation with someone. In the small number of cases, and there have been some, where...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: Regarding amendment No. 12, I am open to the proposed seven days. The Garda has not asked for a longer period and that is because we have provided for a level of flexibility in this section. If it is not possible to carry out these tasks within three days, there is flexibility to further extend the period. I am happy to clarify the position on the seven days and ensure it is clear that it...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: On amendment No. 13, the provision concerned simply refers to duplicate fingerprints. The original fingerprints are retained indefinitely as part of the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act. The Attorney General’s advice is that the reason fingerprints are being taken in this section is to confirm a person’s identity at that time. Once they are no longer needed, the Garda...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: The original prints are held indefinitely.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: Just to add, making this change would mean having to amend sections 10A(1)(b) and 10A(2) as well, so we will need to ensure that happens. If we increase the period from three days to seven days, these subsequent subsections will also need to be amended as a consequence.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: I move amendment No. 15: In page 14, lines 19 and 20, to delete “pursuant to section 29(1)”. I thank the committee for considering this amendment. This responds to concerns raised that the present definition is too narrow and therefore deems some offenders ineligible. The deletion proposed will facilitate the inclusion of a slightly wider cohort of offenders, including...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: As Deputy Naughten said, this amendment, as worded, would not allow SORAM engagement at a later stage and I know that is not what is intended. There is a working group in place, namely, the pre-release SORAMworking group, with members of the probation service, the Prison Service and An Garda Síochána. That is there to put in place operational procedures to help manage sex offenders...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: This amendment relates to the composition of the risk assessment and management team and the range of experts and the representatives from relevant agencies who are members of the teams. As such, it is a technical amendment. The Government is proposing to delete the words "from time to time" as they are superfluous to the meaning given that the preceding words "consider appropriate" in the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: I move amendment No. 17. In page 15, line 7, to delete “from time to time".

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: On the first point by Deputy Naughten, we had extensive legal advice in regard to the words "shall" or "may" and the reason we have put forward "may" is that there has to be some level of discretion in certain situations where An Garda Síochána believes that certain information is not appropriate to share, be it with the local housing authority, the HSE or another relevant body....

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: I agree with Deputy Kenny but that should not be done through SORAM. SORAM is specifically for offenders. I agree, however, that we need to make it clearer that victims have a right to access that information but it would have to be done in other legislation. I am happy to come back to that and include it in the follow-up with the photographic engagement as well.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (27 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: In response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned. These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (27 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy holds a Stamp 1G permission, which has been extended until 31 May 2022, under the automatic extension of immigration permissions I announced on 17 December 2021. All permissions are extended on the same terms and conditions to the permission already held. It is open to the person concerned to contact their local Immigration Office before...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (27 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (27 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 23 September 2019. Representations were received on their behalf requesting that the Order be revoked, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). All relevant aspects of the case will be considered before a decision is made either to affirm or to revoke the Order. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (27 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: The overall objective of my Department is to have recommendations made on international protection applications as soon as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection from the State can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security. For the sake of clarity, I should firstly explain that anyone who wishes to...