Results 8,241-8,260 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware I have no function in relation to the direction or initiation of criminal investigations, which are a matter for the Garda authorities. I can however advise the Deputy that a complaint relating to the particular case to which he is referring is amongst those being considered under the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Student Visas Application Numbers (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that on 11 March 2014 there were 830 non-EEA national students registered as studying in the institution referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed Circuit Television Systems (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The community-based CCTV Scheme was launched in 2005 to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of a local community CCTV system. To date two major rounds of funding have been advertised, in 2005/6 and 2007 seeking applications from interested groups. The current position is that all available...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 292 together. The provision and allocation of Garda transport is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of identified operational circumstances and the availability of resources. In that context, the Deputy will be aware that I recently secured an additional €10 million for investment in the Garda fleet. This funding will provide...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 291, 293 and 308 together. As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including fully sworn members and Reserve Gardaí, among...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The first thing I want to emphasise is that I as Minister for Justice and Equality have no role in relation to prosecutions or decisions whether or not to initiate a prosecution. In May 2013, the Garda Síochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) made a Report to my predecessor under Section 80(5) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 following its investigation into allegations of collusion...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 310 together. The Children and Family Relationships Bill is currently being drafted, and I and my officials are working closely with other relevant Ministers and their officials and with the Attorney General to ensure its publication in the coming weeks. I expect that it will be brought before the Oireachtas as soon as possible thereafter.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff Rehiring (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that from 2012 to date, no individuals on public or civil service retirement pensions have been brought back on contract or temporary contract work. A limited number of former public or civil servants are re-engaged from time to time on a short term basis because of their knowledge and expertise in a particular area, for example to serve on interview boards, audit...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Children and Family Relationships Bill, currently being drafted, is a high legislative priority. I intend to commence the legislative process on the Bill as soon as possible. It will ultimately be a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas, in their debate on and examination of the Bill, to determine the timing of its passage. The intention is that this would be achieved well in advance...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Redress for Women who Were in Certain Institutions Bill is at an advanced stage of drafting and I hope to publish it during the current Oireachtas session. With the co-operation of the Oireachtas, I hope to have it enacted without delay.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (18 Nov 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. I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the purchase of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Policing (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including community Gardaí, 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. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including community Gardaí, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting Applications (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a vetting application on behalf of the individual referred to by the Deputy was processed by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) and returned to the Authorised Signatory in the registered organisation concerned on 31st October, 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ground Rents Abolition (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 305 together. The current statutory position is that section 2 of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1978 introduced a prohibition on the creation of new leases reserving ground rents on dwellings. As regards the existing ground rents, Part III of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (No.2) Act 1978 contains a statutory scheme whereby a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The person to whom the Deputy refers is amongst those whose complaints are being considered under the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach, or other public representatives with a view to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Bill has passed Committee Stage in the Dáil, having passed all stages in the Seanad. However, before the Bill could be taken at Report Stage, a 2013 UK Court of Appeal judgment necessitated a review of the disclosure provisions in both the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 and the Spent Convictions Bill. That review has been completed and amendments...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drugs Crime (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Tackling the issue of drug misuse in our society remains one of the most complex challenges that we face. The Government response to the problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy for the period 2009-2016. The Strategy provides a co-ordinated and comprehensive response to the issue of drug misuse, founded on a partnership approach. The Strategy, which is being delivered under the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 312 together. In light of public safety concernshighlighted by An Garda Síochána and difficulties in the interpretation of the legislation expressed by members of the judiciary, a joint Department of Justice and Equality/An Garda Síochána Working Group was established by my Department to review firearms licensing. The Report of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reform (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 314 together. The underlying focus of the Government’s comprehensive programme of justice reform is to put in place effective arrangements for the oversight, governance and accountability of the Garda Síochána. The very broad nature of the policing issues that have come to attention requires a multi-faceted response. Overall, the...