Results 6,601-6,620 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Cathaoirleach for those words. The Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2013 is landmark legislation which provides for the establishment of a DNA database. The database represents a very significant development in the criminal justice system in Ireland. There are a number of reasons this is the case. The database will assist An Garda...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank all Members who have contributed to the debate and note how much I welcome the support for the Bill across the House. I thank Members for their contributions, in which many important points were made. This unquestionably is landmark legislation that makes good on the Government's commitment in the programme for Government to establish a DNA database system. It is great to see this...

Guerin Report: Statements (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank all Deputies who contributed to the debate on the report by Mr. Seán Guerin into the actions taken in relation to the allegations made by Sergeant McCabe. It has been a wide-ranging debate. Many Deputies have commented on the challenges of the current situation. I accept that there are many. Issues of morale have been raised. I agree it is important that morale within An...

Guerin Report: Statements (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: To conclude, I know that the series of allegations of Garda misconduct have been deeply unsettling for the public, who rightly look to the Garda Síochána for the delivery of a fair, effective and professional policing service, but also for the overwhelming majority of gardaí, who joined the force to serve the public to the best of their considerable ability. Those gardaí,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (28 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 to 104, inclusive, and 106 together. The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, which includes the provision of information on the courts system, is the responsibility of the Courts Service. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (28 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Courts Service is responsible for the management and administration of the Courts. The scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business is a matter for the Presidents of the courts and the presiding judge who are under the Constitution independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Complaints Procedures (28 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have sought a report from the Garda authorities on the issues referred to and I will contact the Deputy directly when this information is to hand. The Deputy will be aware that it is open to the individual in question to make a complaint to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission concerning the conduct of a member of An Garda Síochána should they wish to do so.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (28 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to put on record my appreciation for the contribution that those who volunteer for service as Garda Reserve members make on a daily basis to the work of An Garda Síochána. Together with full time members, they provide vital assistance to communities and neighbourhoods right across the country. The Admission and Appointment Regulations provide that, as part of the competitive...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Semi-State Bodies (28 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to semi-State bodies who have a significant element of commercial or trade activities within their remit. The bodies and agencies attached to my Department provide public services in the broad Justice area, and, as such, do not engage in any significant commercial activity.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commission of Inquiry (28 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together. While the terms of reference of the review referred to by the Deputy have yet to be finalised, it is not envisaged that this would be an appropriate vehicle to address issues of concern to the group involved. I can tell the Deputy that since taking up office as Minister for Justice and Equality, I have received correspondence from the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (29 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 657 and 700 for written answer on 27 May 2014: I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family concerned for the tragic loss of life in the case referred to by the Deputy. The Deputy will appreciate that I do not have a role in the investigation of criminal cases or the conduct of inquests. However, the Deputy may...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (29 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand that the incident referred to in the correspondence in question, which is addressed to the Garda authorities, is the subject of a complaint and has been referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The Deputy will appreciate that in these circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter.

Topical Issue Debate: Crime Investigation (4 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and I am of course aware of the recent reports regarding the investigation of child pornography cases. At the outset let me assure the Deputy I am determined that we do all we possibly can to counteract the sexual exploitation of children. Very properly, we already have significant penalties for child pornography offences under the Child...

Topical Issue Debate: Crime Investigation (4 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: These are precisely the issues I intend to raise with the Acting Garda Commissioner. There is no doubt the scale of the policing challenge is enormous when one considers all of the electronic storage devices which are seized by gardaí in contemporary investigations. They complete an average of 450 cases per year. If one looks at what is selling in the world of technology and...

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Order for Report Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (4 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: These two proposed amendments relate to the definitions of human rights in the Bill and were discussed at length on Committee Stage. The definition in section 2 gives the commission a mandate to promote human rights in the widest sense, not limited to Irish law or to conventions that we have ratified, or, indeed, to any existing international convention. The commission can seek to develop...

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (4 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: There was a long discussion about this issue on Committee Stage when the arguments were put to the Deputy about why the Bill was not doing what he suggests. The position remains that the text in amendment No. 2 is technically inappropriate for legislation. If the Government were to take forward actions on the lines suggested, these would either be matters for policy and allocation of...

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (4 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 3:In page 10, to delete lines 16 to 20 and substitute the following:“(d) to encourage good practice in intercultural relations, to promote tolerance and acceptance of diversity in the State and respect for the freedom and dignity of each person, and (e) to work towards the elimination of human rights abuses, discrimination and prohibited conduct.”.The...

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (4 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: No, if something prohibited, it is prohibited. As I said, the amendment brings clarity.

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (4 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The existing text of section 14(3) on page 15 provides that a member of the commission ceases to be a member automatically on conviction for a criminal offence. The case the Deputy describes would not necessarily be a criminal offence, unless there was assault. The amendment seeks to raise the threshold to conviction for an indictable criminal offence. The commission will have very...