Results 8,881-8,900 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Referendum Campaigns (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: On 16 December 2014, Government decided to hold the marriage equality referendum in May 2015. The necessary preparations are under way in my Department to meet this positive commitment. While I am conscious of the time pressures on students, I regret that it will not be possible to move the referendum forward for two reasons. Firstly, the Referendum Commission needs adequate time in which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Charities Regulation (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA) has statutory responsibility for the registration and regulation of all charitable organisations operating in the State. There are currently no savings clubs registered as charities on the Register of Charities held by the CRA and published on its website at www.charitiesregulatoryauthority.ie. Any application for registration as a charity received...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The 2013 UK Court of Appeal judgment necessitated a review of the disclosure provisions in both the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 and the Spent Convictions Bill. That review has been completed and amendments to the Vetting Act and consequential amendments to the Spent Convictions Bill are currently being drafted. I anticipate that these amendments will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I met with the Stardust Relatives' and Victims Committee in July last 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. I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Language Schools Accreditation (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am fully committed to delivering on the government's regulatory reform programme in this area as announced in September 2014 in conjunction with my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills. The Government is committed to maintaining Ireland's reputation as a high quality destination for international students whilst ensuring the integrity of the immigration system. I will continue...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Abu Dhabi on 30 October, 2014. Following full consideration, the Visa Officer decided to refuse the grant of the visa on 2 November, 2014. The decision to refuse was appealed on 14 December, 2014 and was upheld by an Appeals Officer on 24 December, 2014. A letter providing the reasons for this was issued to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parliamentary Questions (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I appreciate that delays in receiving detailed replies can be frustrating for Deputies. In some instances, however, it is necessary to collate responses from numerous sources and operational pressures may cause delay. I will arrange to have this matter raised with the Garda Commissioner and the Chair designate of the Independent Police Authority with a view to improving my Department's...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I met with the Stardust Relatives' and Victims Committee in July of last 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: Government Pardons (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that it is my intention to bring a recommendation to Government in the near future concerning the question of a pardon in this case. The specific issue raised by him will fall to be examined following formal consideration by Government on the question of a pardon. I can, however, advise him that my Department is in contact with family members of the person in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: One of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (21 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Spent Convictions Bill has passed Committee Stage in the Dáil, having passed all stages in the Seanad. However, before the Bill could be taken at Report Stage, a 2013 UK Court of Appeal judgment necessitated a review of the disclosure provisions in both the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 and the Spent Convictions Bill. That review has been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (21 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. The Garda authorities have indicated that the motorcycles attached to the Garda Traffic Corps play an important role in An Garda Síochána's strategy of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Seizures (21 Jan 2015)

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: Citizenship Applications (21 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Officials in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question. Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in her absolute discretion, grant an application...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (21 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers under the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. The collation of statistics on deaths of asylum seekers living in direct provision commenced in 2002. During the period 2002 to 2014, there have been 61 deaths of asylum seekers who were residing in direct provision...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (21 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is not possible to give a response to the specific question tabled by the Deputy on the basis of the information provided. If the Deputy could clarify the nature of the information he is seeking, I would be happy to see to what extent it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Seized Property (21 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested the information sought from the Garda authorities and I will revert to the Deputy in due course as soon as the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Data (21 Jan 2015)

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. In that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (21 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested the information sought from the Garda authorities and I will revert to the Deputy in due course as soon as the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (21 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that data is not recorded in such a manner as to provide the information sought by the Deputy.