Results 8,281-8,300 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Transport (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government introduced a number of changes for the provision of Office Holder transport during 2011. One of the consequences of that decision was that the transport arrangements in place for Ministers of State became applicable to Government Ministers, subject to very limited exceptions on security grounds. In addition, it was decided that former Presidents...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Chairman and the joint committee for agreeing to take the motion today. We want to do this, if possible, before 24 November. The motions concerns a proposed opt-in regulation of the European Parliament and the Council establishing a European Union agency for law enforcement training would be very helpful to An Garda Síochána. CEPOL is a European Union agency...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Not at all.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The main point is that this is a training programme. In this context, the focus is on training, as opposed to discussing operational issues. When we are participating in training courses, we are conscious of both our own data protection laws and international data protection orders. This is a day-to-day issue for An Garda Síochána as well because we co-operate regularly with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I referenced very briefly the fact that what is envisaged is a review of the board of management for CEPOL and who will be a member of the board. Principles are already laid down in the common approach on EU decentralised agencies. The measure is to ensure by way of regulation that CEPOL must adhere fully to that. I am not aware that there are any major ways in which it does not meet the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The background to this is that the UK made the interesting decision to decide not to continue to host CEPOL. A tendering process ensued and Ireland did tender for it, on which the Garda Síochána is to be commended. It would have been good if we had been successful in the tender but we were not on this occasion. No doubt if it comes up for renewal or if it comes on the agenda...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I do not believe that proposal will go ahead, although it was a possibility.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is not on the table at present.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: That would be very welcome, in particular at the moment as 100 new recruits have commenced training. There will be an intake of another 100 on 1 December and a further intake of 100 on 1 January. The new training course is very different from the previous system and it would be interesting for the committee to see that and to ask questions on the new modules that have been introduced. I am...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is a good point on the recommendations about training. I will ask the Garda Commissioner to see how many of the recommendations on training could be incorporated immediately. The Garda Inspectorate report contains short, medium and longer-term recommendations. We could certainly incorporate some of the short-term recommendations Cybercrime and the Darknet form a major issue. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Chairman and a number of other Deputies spoke to me yesterday on the matter. I have made a decision to extend the date to 31 January. It is a short report done by the Department and An Garda Síochána. I would be very happy to refer it to the committee but I would ask that the committee would come back to me by 31 January if that is possible. The matter relates to regulation.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (20 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College in Templemore on Monday 15 September 2014. This marked a positive step forward for policing in Ireland. Furthermore, as provided for in Budget 2015, the process of recruiting 200 new Gardaí to the force will continue over the next few months. The first batch of recruits...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Regulations (20 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Irish Prison Chaplain Service has a crucial role in the provision of pastoral and spiritual care to the entire prison community and seeks to meet the needs of all denominations. Chaplains are mostly Roman Catholic, but also come from the Church of Ireland and Methodist denominations. Spiritual advisors of other churches/religions can also attend the prisons on a visiting basis, subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (20 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish National Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy is not one who requires an entry visa to the State and that this person entered the State as a visitor on 7 July 2014 when they were granted visitor permission for 90 days. I understand that this person then made an application to INIS stating that they wished to remain...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Private Security Authority Remit (20 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Private Security Authority (PSA), an independent statutory body under the aegis of my Department, is responsible for the regulation and licensing of the private security industry. Membership of the PSA Board is as prescribed in the Private Security Services Act 2004 (as amended) and includes an officer of my Department. Members of the Board act in accordance with the primary...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (20 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy is not subject to a Deportation Order. The person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State as the Spouse of an EU National who was exercising their EU Treaty Rights in this State. This permission to remain was valid until 24th January 2012. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Eligibility (20 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Since 1st January 2005, the entitlement to Irish citizenship of persons born on the island of Ireland to non-national parents is governed by sections 6A and 6B of the Irish Nationality & Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The Act states that a person born in the island of Ireland shall not be entitled to be an Irish citizen unless a parent of that person has, during the period of 4...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (20 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person concerned was granted legal residency in the state under Family Reunification on 27 October 2010. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (20 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned should be advised to make an application to the Residence Division in INIS regarding their situation. Queries in relation to the status of or advise on individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (20 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the person referred to by the Deputy. This application has entered the final stage of processing and I intend to grant citizenship. A letter has issued requesting the person concerned to submit the prescribed fee and other...