Results 8,601-8,620 of 15,638 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (20 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (20 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill was published in October 2022 and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice conducted two pre-legislative scrutiny sessions in January, and published its report in March 2023. Officials are engaging with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the drafting of the Bill, and despite the considerable length of the general scheme, I intend to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Peace Commissioners (20 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: Peace Commissioners are appointed and may be removed from that appointment by the Minister for Justice under section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924. The office of Peace Commissioner is an honorary one for which there is no remuneration or compensation by way of fees or expenses for their services. My Department maintains the Roll of Peace Commissioners and while every effort is made to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children (20 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department is responsible for examining all international protection applications received. The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) has statutory responsibility for the care of any unaccompanied minors in the State. If an unaccompanied minor indicates that they wish to apply for international protection, they are referred to Tusla, either by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Protection (20 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, last year, my Department committed to undertake both a public consultation and independent research on the topic of parental alienation as part of the Justice Plan 2022. The findings of both these strands were analysed and arising from this, my officials developed a policy paper on how to address the issue. Minister Harris brought both the finalised policy paper...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Peace Commissioners (20 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 468 together. Peace Commissioners are appointed and may be removed from that appointment by the Minister for Justice under section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924. The office of Peace Commissioner is an honorary one for which there is no remuneration or compensation by way of fees or expenses for their services. A person who wishes to be...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: Reference was made this afternoon to J.K. Rowling. I have read her commentary and have seen a lot of what she said. Again, she would not be prosecuted under this legislation. Identities described in this House as nonsense - a person's ability to identify in whatever way they so wish - is not hate speech. I might not like what is said in that way, and many others might not like it, but it...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank them and acknowledge the work they have done in contributing and taking part in the overall consultation of this. As I mentioned at the outset of this debate, it is common legislative practice to have different meanings and terms in different Acts specific to the purpose of the legislation in question. This is referring to gender for the purposes of this Bill. It is provided that,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy. Regretfully, this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: Ireland’s Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill short term labour gaps for the benefit of our economy. In recognition of the importance of frontline medical personnel, the AWS Unit prioritises these applications. There has been an unprecedented demand for AWS permissions this year, with a significant increase in the number...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the coroner is an independent quasi-judicial office holder whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. This is an important public service to the living and in particular to the next-of-kin and friends of the deceased. Coroners not only provide closure for those bereaved, but also perform a wider...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Pathology Service (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Office of the State Pathologist (OSP) provides the State with a national forensic pathology service and a forensic pathologist is on duty, twenty-four hours a day, each day of the year. In response to the Deputy, the budget allocation for the OSP from 2021 to 2023 is set out below. Budget allocation for OSP 2021 -2023 - 2021 2022 2023 ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Bench Warrants (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I understand that the Deputy is seeking the number of warrants issued by the Courts under Schedule 6, Order 25, Paragraph 2 of Statutory Instrument 41 of 1998 - District Court (Criminal Justice) Rules 1998. As the Deputy is aware, court proceedings are under the remit of the Courts Service. Management of the courts are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The role of the Psychology Service in the Irish Prison Service is to deliver, develop and manage an integrated mental health and criminogenic needs assessment and treatment service for people in custody, in line with service plans and objectives and within established professional standards, guidelines and policy. I am informed that the Irish Prison Service currently employ various...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy. Regretfully, this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I wish to inform the Deputy that a decision issued to the person concerned by registered post on 23 May 2023. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed in line with the eligibility criteria as set out under the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can confirm to the Deputy that an invitation to attend the recent Citizenship Ceremonies did issue to the person cited. Unfortunately, it appears the recorded contact details were incorrect but my officials have now amended same. Officials in Citizenship Division of my Department have informed me that the person concerned will receive an invitation to the next ceremony later this year....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. A person subject to a Deportation Order has no legal basis to remain in the State. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Crime Prevention (22 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising this really important matter today. I would like to extend my sympathies to the family of Aaron Keating and anybody who has been affected by knife crime. Any kind of death is devastating but when somebody is murdered in this way, it has a ripple effect throughout the entire community. It is important to note, and the Senator touched on this, that for the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Crime Prevention (22 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I will touch on a few points there. The length of time An Garda Síochána can hold a person in respect of knife crime is going to change in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill going through the Houses and which I hope will be enacted before the summer recess. The Senator mentioned the expert forum on antisocial behaviour. A piece of work is being done through the...