Results 6,941-6,960 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

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

Frances Fitzgerald: It is essential that members of the public have full confidence in the Garda Síochána and in the operation of our criminal justice system. In that context the Government has initiated a comprehensive reform programme and the project is being overseen by a Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform. This Committee is chaired by the Taoiseach; and the other members are the Tánaiste,...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Síochána (Confidential Reporting of Corruption or Malpractice) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 168/2007),made under s.124 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, provide for the appointment of an independent Confidential Recipient. The independent Confidential Recipient enables members of the Force, and civilian support staff, to report, in full confidence, instances where they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Assets Bureau (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Criminal Assets Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime since its inception in 1996. The Bureau is being actively utilised to identify and target funds accumulated by those involved in criminal activity, in order to seize such assets and to deprive those involved of the profits of their criminal activity. Furthermore, 194 asset profilers trained by the Bureau are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Sittings (24 Jun 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. The Presidents monitor waiting times across all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that the overall bed capacity of the Irish Prison System is 4,179. On 23 June 2014 there were 3,958 prisoners in custody. This represents under 95% occupancy. I wish to inform the Deputy that on 1 April 2014 the cell accommodation census returned the following information. 2,044 prisoners were accommodated in single cells which accounted for 50% of all prisoners...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the function of the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) is to assist Senior Investigating Officers assigned to the case in question in bringing investigations to a successful conclusion by identifying further investigative opportunities and ensuring that investigations conform to approved best practice guidelines. At the conclusion of each review a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Pathologists (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 618 on Wednesday 30 April, 2014. As stated then, it is a matter for the State Pathologist to determine how her Office operates and in that regard the necessary operational arrangements had been put in place by the State Pathologist to ensure the continued efficient running of her Office. I can advise the Deputy that this continues to be the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Missing Persons Data (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table sets out the number of missing person reports from 2009 to 20 June, 2014. The table also sets out the total number of persons reported missing during that period who remain untraced. It should be noted that the figures provided are provisional, operational and liable to change. Year No. of Missing Person Reports No. of persons...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have however been informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised that all crime trends are monitored on an ongoing basis by the Garda authorities and relevant policing strategies are designed and implemented as required. The Garda National Policing Plan for 2014 sets out the policing priorities and objectives for the current year. The Plan is designed to meet the policing needs of all communities, in urban and rural areas, including active...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I take it the Deputy is referring to the length of time taken to process an application and I am pleased to inform him there is no waiting period as such in relation to the processing of applications for naturalisation with a majority of cases now being processed within six months. Applications are continuously processed from date of receipt. Enquiries are made to establish if the applicant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that while driver images may in some cases be captured by the Garda safety camera system, the system's purpose and configuration is designed to identify the registration number of the vehicle concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have read the letter attached to this Dáíl Question from a Kerry resident in which concern is expressed about the direct provision system of accommodation for protection applicants while a final decision is awaited on their protection or any related leave to remain application. The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for operation of the direct...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting of Personnel (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Ensuring the safety of children and vulnerable adults is the primary consideration in any vetting process and accordingly such vetting processes demand rigorous procedures to ensure their integrity and to maintain the highest level of confidence by the public and organisations availing of the service. To that end full vetting checks are conducted by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations Expenditure (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The provision of Garda accommodation, including all site purchases and new buildings, comes under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The relevant expenditure is met from the OPW Vote. In that context, I am advised by the Office of Public Works that expenditure of €1.95 million has been incurred in relation to the purchase of land, at Rocksborough, for the provision of a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Law (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: EU Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law requires the Member States to criminalise incitement to hatred, hatred being defined by reference to race, colour, religion, descent, or national or ethnic origin. The Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 defines "hatred" by reference to race,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that Gardaí pursue a range of strategies to counter crime trends, including the coordinated national strategy targeting burglary crime under Operation Fiacla, which has led to steady reductions in the level of burglary crimes as well as the arrest of 9,343 persons and charges being brought against 5,341 persons since it was established in early 2012. As part of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Justice and Home Affairs Council: Discussion (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have circulated a background note and also a paper with comments on some of the key areas that I want to bring to the attention of the committee. I thank the committee for the invitation to brief the members on what was discussed at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council which took place on 5 and 6 June; I attended both days of the meeting. Information notes have been circulated and I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Justice and Home Affairs Council: Discussion (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is quite a concern in member states. For example, in Belgium recently there was an attack in which a number of Jewish persons were killed. That was at the Jewish museum in Brussels. Ministers stated that this was an issue of serious concern and remains of the utmost importance, given the numbers who are travelling to Syria. From our own perspective, the point I made is that a small...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Justice and Home Affairs Council: Discussion (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Let me give more information. Up to 2,000 EU citizens, primarily of a Muslim background, have travelled to fight in Syria. There is concern that some of them have signed up with extremist groups. The reasons individuals travel are varied. Some travel out of a sense of solidarity with their fellow Muslims and some are recruited by extremist groups, which is a concern. Others travel for...