Results 8,761-8,780 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 to 484, inclusive, together. There were no secondments from my Department to external private firms in the years specified in your question. My Department had three short term secondments from external firms in the years in question. There was one secondment from Grant Thornton Corporate Finance Limited for the period 12 November 2012 to 11 January...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government, as part of its response to the report by Seán Guerin SC, took the initiative to have an independent review carried out of the allegations of Garda misconduct which had been submitted to my Department, to An Taoiseach and to a number of other public representatives. This unprecedented decision was taken with a view to getting an objective and independent legal view on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I said, the number of cases I referred to the independent review is quite large, and there is a wide variety of cases. I did originally say that the investigation would, I hoped, take a number of months, but in fact it is taking longer. One of the reasons it is taking longer, of course, is the complexity of some of the cases, the working through of the material and the amount of written...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy has already pointed out that a number of commissions are operating. This is due to the response of the Government to legitimate public concerns and concerns of Members. The Deputy has picked out three particular cases. However, it would not be right for me to pick out particular cases. In each case, the same approach is being taken, but I cannot anticipate any outcome. It is a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy has spoken about the length of time involved. In regard to the cases that have been referred to the review mechanism, many of them have been on people's desks and in various places in the system over the past decade and some cases go back much further. Many of these cases have been through a variety of processes, including independent investigations or the courts, while no action...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The decision was taken that there would be a review of all of the written material, and that decision stands. Many of these families have lived with their concerns over a long period. It is important we take adequate time to examine the complaints and that we give the counsel the time to come to a decision on what recommendation they should make. It would be counterproductive to start...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is precisely that question the counsel are addressing. They are examining whether there are cases that will require further action, such as a commission. It is a serious matter to refer an individual case or to set up a commission of inquiry. Therefore, we must be sure this is the best way forward for those families for whom this is recommended. I think the Deputy will agree that it is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the media reports alleging that GCHQ in the UK has tapped undersea communications cables. The media reports also suggest that this may have been linked to surveillance being carried out within the UK's own jurisdiction. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, has already been in contact with the British Embassy on this issue. It has been conveyed that it is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is no question of the Irish Government agreeing to the situation outlined by the Deputy. The UK legislation is for the UK to decide. I have made it very clear that we have a very serious approach to any interception of telecommunications in this country. We have very clear laws about it. It is only used where there is a question of criminal activity or where the security of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I do not accept the premise of quite a number of points made by the Deputy. For a start, I absolutely believe that most right-thinking citizens would welcome the State's taking action to protect its citizens. Certainly, that is very much on people's minds following the Paris attacks in particular. My belief is that citizens want to be protected. I have already told the Deputy that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I believe they will follow the law that is there and my experience suggests that is the situation. We want strong law that protects the rights of citizens but when appropriate and in the interests of dealing with criminality, particularly international criminal activity which we know is increasingly carried out via the Internet, it is important that our laws are strong enough to deal with...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Firearms Licences (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following public safety concerns raised by An Garda Síochána about specific categories of firearms, a joint Department and Garda Síochána working group was established to examine this issue in October 2013. Its report was published on 13 November. The report outlined the views expressed by An Garda Síochána that centre-fire handguns are primarily designed to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Firearms Licences (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I made the point that there will be full consultation. I have no doubt the justice committee, of which Deputy Niall Collins is a member and Deputy David Stanton is the Chairman, will do excellent work in getting to the bottom of these statistics and examining them in detail. While it is a different issue, I have set up a working group to look at technology and An Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Firearms Licences (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is an issue of concern to the wider population as well.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Firearms Licences (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: It would be premature to suggest that. A process has been set up and we have a report which will be examined by the justice committee. The Deputy will have the opportunity to make those points at the committee. I welcome the Deputy’s support for the review. One of my predecessors in office, Dermot Ahern, stated in 2009 during the debate when the licensing system was last amended...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Firearms Licences (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: However, I do not want representative groups to assume decisions have been made before they have been made.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I established a commission of investigation on foot of the recommendations of the Guerin report. I laid before the House a draft of the order, which includes the terms of reference, proposing the establishment of the commission. I also laid before the House a statement of the reasons for establishing the commission. All of the matters recommended by Mr. Seán Guerin SC for inclusion in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy stated, a considerable amount of analysis has been done at this stage. It is important to act now to bring about change and the Government has taken action to address the issues the Deputy outlined. A commission of investigation was established on foot of the Guerin report and will be led by Mr. Justice Kevin O'Higgins. We have also established the Fennelly commission, which...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I believe the range of initiatives we have taken will make a difference and begin to address many of the issues to which the Deputy refers. To go back to the case in County Donegal and a number of other reports, various actions have been taken to deal with the issues the Deputy outlined. I also believe the Garda Commissioner is committed to dealing with the points the Deputy makes. While I...

Other Questions: International Terrorism (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I share the Deputy's concern and sympathy for the French nation in relation to the recent atrocities. There is considerable concern across Europe and elsewhere at the phenomenon of individuals travelling to conflict areas in the Middle East and the consequential threat posed to national security. This matter will be discussed in two weeks at the informal Justice and Home Affairs Council...