Results 7,261-7,280 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Council of Europe (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: From the records available I can advise the Deputy that the following were the previous Irish members to the Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT). - Mr. Michael Mellett - Mr. John Olden - Mr. Tim Dalton - Mr. Sean Aylward Members of the CPT do not receive a salary. They are chosen from among persons of high moral...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am to inform the Deputy that the position referred to was 're-badged' through the change management process in the Irish Prison Service in line with commitments given under the Haddington Road Agreement. In the case of this particular position, the position would have been offered but at that time there were no staff at the appropriate grade with transfer requests to that location for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed that local Garda Management are aware of anti-social activity in the area and have increased the Garda presence in the area over the last number of months. I am also informed that Gardaí patrol this area regularly, including mobile and beat patrols. The Community Policing Unit attached to Clontarf Garda Station also attends to issues arising in the area. In this regard...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The position is that powers have been given to local authorities to make bye-laws in relation to use, regulation or management of land, services or any other matter under their control or management in Part 19 of the Local Government Act 2001 (previously Part VII of the Local Government Act 1994). Many local authorities have used these powers to introduce bye laws prohibiting the consumption...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (15 Jul 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: Court Procedures (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The small claims procedure of the District Court is an alternative method of dealing with a civil proceeding in respect of a small claim. The majority of claims are dealt with by administrative staff in the local District Court offices. Typical claims include: - a claim in respect of goods or services bought for private use from somebody selling them in the course of a business (consumer...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 576 and 577 together. I am establishing a mechanism for the independent review by counsel of allegations concerning the conduct of members of the Garda Síochána or inadequacies in the investigation of such allegations which have been made to the Taoiseach or the Minister for Justice and Equality. The review will consist of an examination by counsel...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011, which has completed both Second and Committee Stages in the Dáil, commenced Report Stage in the Dáil on 11th July 2014 which is ongoing. It is intended that the Bill be enacted by the end of this year and that the new Legal Services Regulatory Authority come into operation early in 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy's question refers to a letter from an organisation which seeks, inter alia, for the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) to be allowed inspect direct provision hostels and for the Ombudsman for Children to be given jurisdiction in the direct provision system. In relation to the role of the Ombudsman for Children, section 11(1) (e) of the Ombudsman for Children's Act, 2002...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reports (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Department's Annual Report for 2013 is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations Refurbishment (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda stations is based on accommodation priorities which are established by An Garda Síochána. The programme is advanced in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. With regard to an update on the construction of a new Garda station...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that fees charged in the courts are set by means of Statutory Instrument. Court fees orders are made by myself as the Minister for Justice and Equality with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. During 2013, the Courts Service carried out a comprehensive review of court fees. Court fees in connection with bankruptcy proceedings are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The reform of the bankruptcy regime under the Personal Insolvency Act 2012, which reduced automatic discharge from bankruptcy from 12 years to 3 years, constituted a far-reaching and substantial reform of our bankruptcy law. I can confirm that, at the moment, there is no intention to amend the law on the bankruptcy term; however, I will continue to keep the legislation under review.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 585 and 586 together. Section 30 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides a statutory basis for the Garda Commissioner, as Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote, to charge for police services on a non-public duty basis for commercial events such as sports fixtures and concerts. In that context, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the moneys...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Insolvency Service of Ireland Data (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) published its Quarter 2 2014 Statistics Report yesterday to its website www.isi.gov.ie. Figures up to 30 June 2014, as set out in the Quarter 2 Statistics Report show: - 180 Debt Solution Arrangements have been approved to date; - Over 220 Protective Certificates have been issued by the Court. Protective Certificates give...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that it is the policy to facilitate in as much as possible the placing of a prisoner in a prison as close as possible to their family. However not all prisons are suitable for every prisoner and the Irish Prison Service must also take into account a range of other considerations, such as, the criminogenic profile of the prisoner and the security level...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill was published in July 2013. As the Deputy will be aware, this is an extremely important and far-reaching Bill which constitutes a comprehensive reform of the law relating to decision-making by persons with capacity difficulties. What has been proposed in this Bill represents international best practice. Nonetheless, international legislation in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: While the Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position as Minister to interpret the law or to provide advice in relation to a particular case in response to a Parliamentary Question, I can say that the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 generally apply to the recording of personal images by means of video cameras unless the recording activity relates to an individual's own personal,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am to inform the Deputy that as a result of clause 2.31 of the Haddington Road Agreement, new measures have been put in place by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to redress the balance brought about by the 10% pay reduction introduced in 2010. I have been informed by the Irish Prison Service that this reduction did not apply to those who joined the Service as Prison...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (15 Jul 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that firearms licensing and legislation governing firearms are kept under review. Furthermore, 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...