Results 8,621-8,640 of 15,638 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Consultations (22 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government commits in the Programme for Government to reviewing the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 and to broaden the range of convictions that are considered spent. As part of this review process, a public consultation on spent convictions was launched by my Department in October 2020. Bespoke research on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (22 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Government will establish a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (22 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no commercial agencies, bodies or offices under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (22 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy created on-line Join Family visa application on 18 November 2022. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were then received on 21 November 2022 in the Manila visa office. The visa application was then forwarded to the Dublin Visa Office for further processing. I can advise the Deputy that Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (22 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The issue as to whether the new guidelines will apply retrospectively to Section 16 applications on hand is under active consideration. Given the complexities of the issues involved and the absolute discretion afforded to the Minister in the Citizenship Act, it is imperative that the necessary time is spent to ensure the guidelines are both clear and comprehensive. Work is ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (22 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...

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (27 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves that sections 2 to 4, 6 to 12, 14 and 17 of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 (No. 39 of 1998) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on 30th June, 2023 and ending on 29th June, 2024. The two motions before the House seek the approval of Dáil Éireann to continue in force provisions of the Offences...

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (27 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am grateful to the House for its consideration of these motions and thank all Deputies for their contributions, especially those who support the motions. The very real threat to our society that comes from dissident republican paramilitary groups and the brutality of ruthless crime gangs needs an effective and particular response from the criminal justice system. As I mentioned before,...

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (27 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves that section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 (No. 32 of 2009) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on 30th June, 2023 and ending on 29th June, 2024.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: A number of technical amendments from Senator Ward and me are grouped together for consideration. Amendment No. 1 reflects the change in name of what is now the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. Amendments Nos. 13 and 18 from Senator Ward have identified typographical errors. I thank him for that and I am happy to accept these amendments....

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I appreciate where the Senator is coming from in this regard. We are both getting to the same point; we are just doing it in a different way. I accept there are certain items of legislation in which I have repealed and brought forward something new or other areas where we have simply amended older legislation. The reason we have taken this approach is because this was the recommendation in...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator. She touched on two points, which are the mandatory maximum sentence and the presumptive mandatory minimum sentences. A request was put in by the Senator's colleague, Senator Ruane, that we would have a review of the mandatory minimum sentences.That is happening at the moment. Only a few types of offences - firearms and drugs offences - have that minimum presumptive...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I intend to introduce Report Stage amendments providing for consequential changes to a number of other enactments arising from the new subsections 3A and 4A, relating to non-fatal strangulation offences. These mirror the provisions applicable to the existing sections 3 and 4 - assault causing harm and causing serious harm - provisions.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I agree with most of what the Senator has outlined and what she and the groups and representatives she has mentioned are trying to achieve. I have met with many of them. Last week I met with an amazing person who was abused but not by an intimate partner. There was coercive control but because it was not that specific scenario it could not be applied in the courts. This is something I...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I also welcome our guests to the Seanad. I thank the Senator for her amendments. I understand where she is coming from in this regard, and some of the NGOs have raised this as well. Amendments Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, propose to alter the definition of "stalking" to separate the element of the offence that refers to substantial adverse impact on day-to-day activities from the causing of...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: We are talking about many of the same issues we discussed in the previous amendment. What we are trying to do is to prevent the stalking behaviour. It is about looking at the immediate safety and welfare of applicants so they can get an immediate order for eight days, as is set out, or five years, on a much longer footing. While stalking, harassment and civil orders are inextricably...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senators. This issue has already been raised. On Second Stage the Minister Deputy Harris gave a commitment to bring forward amendments specifically on ex parteapplications. Unfortunately they are not ready but I hope they will be ready for Report Stage. The reason I will not accept Senator Ward's amendments is that we need to go even further. We need to put in place provisions...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: Not at all. I suggest that we should go even further and that there are other areas that have been brought to our attention that need to be included. I understand from where Senator Black is coming. I have just come from a family justice forum where we spoke about the family justice system and how abuse can continue into the courts. It is no different when we are speaking about these...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank Senator Ward for his remarks. I agree with him on the reason people do not come forward.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: A Report Stage amendment to this section is being considered.