Results 8,641-8,660 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Succession Act (18 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, I am not in a position in my capacity as Minister for Justice and Equality to make reference to a specific case in answer to a Parliamentary Question. Shortcomings in the scope of the succession rules applicable in cases where a spouse has been found guilty of the unlawful killing of the other spouse have been revealed in a number of high profile cases. I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Warrants (18 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cash for Gold Trade (18 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that Dublin City Council has advised An Garda Síochána that the issue of 'cars for cash signs' is being dealt with by them as a litter problem and that it continues to remove these signs across the city on a regular basis. Where such businesses are identified, Gardaí conduct enquiries to establish their bona fidesand where there are suspicions of...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I am committed to examining the best approach to regulation in the area of cash for gold business providers, having regard to the potentially significant impact on legitimate businesses. It is important to recognise that any legislation in this area would have a potentially significant impact on a broad range of businesses. There are a large number of legitimate businesses such as jewellers,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Refurbishment (18 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The programme of refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on agreed accommodation priorities which are established by An Garda Síochána. This programme is progressed by An Garda Síochána in co-operation with the Office of Public Works, who have responsibility for capital expenditure in this area. In that context, I am informed by the Garda authorities that a...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: The provision and allocation of Garda transport is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational requirements and the availability of resources. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational circumstances. I am advised...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (18 Dec 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 will...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: My intention is to publish the Mediation Bill in the next session and thereafter to proceed quickly with enactment of the legislation. The Bill will contain provisions designed to promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings, thereby reducing legal costs for the parties, speeding up the resolution of disputes, and relieving the stress involved in...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: Difficulties experienced by property owners arising from trees and high hedges on neighbouring land were raised in both the Dáil and Seanad during passage of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009. My Department consulted on the matter with the Law Reform Commission and it took the view that unreasonable interference caused by high trees or hedges was a matter in any particular...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (18 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department is committed to implementing the priorities set out in the Programme for Government and in the Statement of Government Priorities 2014 - 2016, which was published by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste last July. These will form the basis for the work of my Department for the remainder of this Government's term of office. Delivering the comprehensive Justice Reform Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire (18 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I met with the Stardust Relatives' and Victims Committee in July of this year and this meeting provided an opportunity for me to hear their concerns at first hand. At that meeting the Committee and their representatives set out, in some detail, their concerns in relation to the Inquiries into this matter that have been undertaken previously and some related financial issues that have arisen....

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I am of course aware of the issues connected with the tragic case referred to and which have been raised by the family over a number of years. To enable me to respond fully to the Deputy's request I am seeking an updated report from the Garda authorities and I will contact him directly when this is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Refurbishment (18 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The programme of refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on agreed accommodation priorities which are established by An Garda Síochána. This programme is progressed by An Garda Síochána in co-operation with the Office of Public Works, who have responsibility for capital expenditure in this area. In that context, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (18 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Around 140 applications for Irish entry visas for the purpose of joining Irish spouse or partners, out of a total of around 840 such applications, have been refused to date in 2014 i.e. since the coming into force of the Family Reunification Guidelines on 1 January 2014. These applications would have been refused for a range of reasons, including, in some cases, the financial capacity of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (18 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have asked the Garda Commissioner for a report in relation to the matter and will write to the Deputy when I have further information.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that firearms legislation provides for an appeal to the District Court where a firearms licence has been refused by An Garda Síochána. I am informed that the information sought regarding such cases is not readily available to An Garda Síochána or the Courts Service. The work required to collate this information would require a disproportionate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff Career Breaks (18 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that, as of 16 December, 2014, the numbers of staff in my Department on career break is as set out in a table. The information is provided in tabular format as requested and, while not requested by the Deputy, I have also included information for staff on career break in the 3-4 year category. The Deputy should note that the term sabbatical is not utilised in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (18 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The photography costs incurred by my Department from the date of my appointment on the 8th May to date are €553.50. I can inform the Deputy that photographic services are only used by my Department to mark and provide a record of significant occasions. Consideration is given at all times to the costs involved and best value for money is always a priority when sourcing such services....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Relations Contracts Data (18 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: During the period in question, my Department has not incurred any costs in relation to the provision of public relations services. It is my Department's policy to use in house resources as much as possible and to restrict the use of external groups to a minimum.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (18 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Expenditure by my Department on external IT consultants for the years in question was as follows: 2010 - €0 2011 - €0 2012 - €25,601 2013 - €35,383 2014 - €57,299