Results 8,461-8,480 of 9,409 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. This application is based on Section 16 'Irish Association', which can take typically longer to process than applications based upon residency. Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Passport Services (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A person can become an Irish citizen if one of their parents was an Irish citizen at the time of their birth, even though they were not born on the island of Ireland, or through an Irish national grandparent born in Ireland. In such cases, a person can become an Irish citizen through Foreign Birth Registration. Once a person is entered onto the Foreign Births Register they are an Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Investigations (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 536 together. I can assure the Deputy that the Government affords the highest priority to the State's security. Like any other democratic state, Ireland is not immune from the risk posed by hostile state activity including efforts by such states to exert influence. Our security services are very alive to that risk and keep their response under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Bodies (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department has responsibility for public policy in respect of the security of the State and public safety, including the prevention and detection of crime, the criminal justice system, the administration of justice, the management of inward migration and international protection processes, the provision of important regulatory services and ongoing reform of civil and criminal law. My...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the distribution of resources in the Garda fleet across the various Garda Divisions and National/Specialist Units. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter. The Government is committed to providing An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parliamentary Questions (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that I place a high value on the importance of parliamentary questions to ensure that Government and its Ministers are held accountable by the elected Members of Dáil Éireann. All parliamentary questions tabled to me as Minister are answered in accordance with the standing orders of Dáil Éireann. Since my appointment as Minister on 23...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As part of my Department’s continued commitment to improving its services, an online citizenship application process was made available in October 2023. This has made the application process easier for applicants, allowing them to easily fill in relevant forms, make payments and submit their application on line. The Citizenship Division of my Department receive a significant number...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is important to note that restricting a person’s liberty is a serious issue, given the Constitutional presumption that a person is deemed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Bail Act contains robust provisions on both dealing with and pre-empting breaches of bail. Where an individual fails to comply with any bail conditions, the judge may issue a bench warrant,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1087, 1218 and 1219 together. The European Commission has recently proposed a new Returns Regulation to establish a Common European System for Returns with swifter, simpler and more effective return procedures across the EU while fully respecting fundamental rights. This new legal framework is a complementary measure to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, particularly considering the current processing times. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The person referred to by the Deputy can apply to renew their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card using the online portal, which is available at . The person concerned or an advocate acting on the person’s behalf can upload a scan of the person’s expired passport, or a copy of their previous IRP card to proceed when prompted to provide a scan of their passport. As an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Victorian-era laws that criminalised consensual sexual activity between men until being repealed in 1993 are now recognized as a historical injustice. In 2021, a multi-stakeholder working group was formed to examine the disregard of such convictions. The group met multiple times and conducted a public consultation in late 2022, receiving 148 submissions. My predecessor, Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that citizens of Thailand require a visa to travel to the State. Further information on visa requirements is available on my Departments Immigration Service website at Ireland supports the entry of migrants through various legal pathways including study, work or to join their family. Details of these pathways and associated requirements can also be found on my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I recognise the significance and sensitivity of the coronial investigation process for loved ones of the bereaved, and that delays in coronial investigations can cause distress for families of the deceased. The Coroner Service comprises a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. Coroners are independent office holders whose function under the Coroners Act 1962, as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Department of Justice provides support for organisations that work in the Victims of Crime area, including provision of support, information and advice on the rights of victims, and court and other services, specialised counselling services, helplines and training initiatives. Funding is provided to organisations that can demonstrate that they comply with the objectives of the Victims...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the enforcement of road traffic legislation. The Commissioner is also responsible for procurement and related contract management. I have made enquiries in relation to the fixed speed camera referenced by the Deputy....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Paramilitary Groups (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I know the Deputy is familiar with the work of the Independent Reporting Commission. The Commission was established under the Fresh Start Agreement 2015 to report on measures aimed at ending paramilitarism. The Commission has submitted seven reports to the UK and Irish Governments to date, the most recent last month. Both the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I have welcomed the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that Israeli and United States of America citizens are not visa required. This means that they do not need to seek prior screening approval from the Immigration Service for the purpose of travel to Ireland.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes the service's compliance with data protection obligations. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions. I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána has not received...