Results 6,841-6,860 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I do not believe the interim Garda Commissioner is obliged to wait until the commission of investigation has completed its work before initiating changes in response to the Guerin report and in respect of some of the issues the Deputy has identified. I have been assured that work is under way regarding this matter. Changes are currently being made - and others will be made in the future -...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The terms of reference must be discussed by Cabinet. The potential timeframe involved will be dependent on the completion of the terms of reference and discussions with the person appointed to chair the commission. The commission will be obliged to carry out a great deal of work. The first action we must take is to draw up the terms of reference. I hope to bring the latter to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: While the deployment of resources within An Garda Síochána is a matter for the acting Garda Commissioner, I have received a detailed report from her on the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and its functions. As the Deputy will be aware, the acting Commissioner has initiated an immediate comprehensive review and strategic realignment of An Garda Síochána's capacity to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Regarding the Deputy's point on the need for greater accountancy skills in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, ODCE, such skills are fundamental to the office's ability to deal with the more complex issues and investigations it has been facing since the economic downturn. My colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, has been addressing this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: To a degree, the Deputy's points could best be dealt with in the context of the Acting Garda Commissioner's strategic review. By undertaking such a review, she clearly recognises that this issue is an emerging and serious priority. The questions of resources and of engagement with international and local partners are key. The precise mechanisms for that engagement and who should lead it...

Other Questions: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The ex gratiascheme covers the ten Magdalen laundries that were the subject of the McAleese report and two other institutions that were subsequently included, those being, St. Mary's training centre, Stanhope Street, and the House of Mercy training school, Summerhill, Wexford. To date, 754 applications have been received and 357 applicants have received their lump sum payments at a cost of...

Other Questions: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan for the points she has raised on those cases. I have outlined the different situation relating to An Grianán. One of the women Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan refers to went to the redress board. Does the Deputy expect that people should have access to both the Residential Institutions Redress Board scheme and the Magdalen laundry scheme? It was not...

Other Questions: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Taoiseach made the apologies and Mr. Justice Quirke carried out his investigation and submitted recommendations in relation to the Magdalen laundries. Women who were in the Magdalen laundries have applied for benefits under that scheme. This morning, the Government, on my proposal, agreed to the publication of the scheme of a new Bill to provide for services and supports for women who...

Other Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am anxious to see Ireland in a position to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence - the Istanbul convention - as quickly as possible. However, I will only be able to proceed with ratification when we have in place measures that match the requirements of the convention. This will require changes to our domestic...

Other Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will know, it is not unusual for constitutional sensitivities to be raised when bringing forward important legislation like this. I have said that the most recent advice I have on constitutional difficulties suggests constitutional change may not be required. I am ensuring that we are preparing for the legislation that will be needed in order to sign and ratify the convention....

Other Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree with the Deputy that there is no room for complacency on the issue of violence against women. Some years ago, people might have felt this was less of a problem but evidence suggests it remains a very serious issue, very often associated with drug and alcohol use. Tackling the alcohol issue is necessary, therefore. This morning we saw a very disturbing report on Irish patterns of...

Other Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome that work and the committee's report, which I look forward to receiving. I take this opportunity to thank the committee for the focus it has put on this area. It is extremely important that it should be the focus of discussion and debate in this House.

Other Questions: Direct Provision System (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy knows, the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of protection applicants in accordance with Government policy in this country. I spent some time recently visiting Mosney and met with many of the residents there as well as staff and management. I acknowledge that the length of time residents spend in direct provision is an...

Other Questions: Direct Provision System (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I certainly believe we must ensure the best possible standards are applied in the centres in which people are living. I recently visited the centre in Mosney and met the staff and management. I am sure the Deputy has visited some of the centres. Clearly, a lot of work is done to ensure, given the circumstances that apply, that people's needs are met as much as possible. Of course, any...

Other Questions: Direct Provision System (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Clearly, where is it possible to make the decision Deputy Humphreys referred to, that will be done, but frequently, the reason for the long delays is that individuals have taken a range of judicial reviews and other legal remedies regarding their case, which then prohibits the discretion she suggests. With regard to Deputy Higgins's question, until this year it was difficult to compare how...

Other Questions: Magdalen Laundries (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: In the light of the Government decision to implement the scheme recommended by Judge Quirke, my Department established a dedicated unit of nine officers whose sole task is to assist in the implementation of the scheme. A total of 754 applications have been received to date and 357 applicants have received their lump sum payment so far. The cost is €12.8 million to date. I may have...

Other Questions: Magdalen Laundries (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have a mechanism to support those who are outside the country to ensure they access medical services, which was agreed by the Government this morning. The issue of vulnerable persons was also included in the heads of the Bill that went to Cabinet earlier to ensure there is legal provision for relatives or other appropriate persons to act on behalf of the women who do not have the capacity...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, Mr. Dominic McGinn, Senior Counsel, is at present carrying out an independent examination of the report of the Serious Crime Review Team relating to the Garda investigation into the death of Fr. Niall Molloy. In accordance with its terms of reference, this independent examination comprises two elements. Firstly, Mr. McGinn is to examine the Review Team's report...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am, of course, deeply concerned at the distressing circumstances surrounding the operation of Mother and Baby Homes, including the Home at Tuam. As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs recently announced the Government's intention to establish a Commission of Investigation to examine these complex issues. An interdepartmental group has been established and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that work at my Department and the Department of Health is ongoing in relation to the reform of aspects of the law applying to medical negligence and that this work will include the bringing forward of legislation to deal with the issues he has raised. The ongoing work is informed by the findings and recommendations set out in the relevant modules of the...