Results 10,181-10,200 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into operation on 15 July, 2014 as part of this Government's comprehensive approach to enhance the protection available to whistle blowers, including Garda whistleblowers. Section 19 of the Act inserted a new provision into the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) to be a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Independent Review Mechanism (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: This 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 the Office of the Taoiseach and a number of other public representatives. This unprecedented decision was taken with a view to getting an objective and independent legal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: DNA Database (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the forensic capacity of An Garda Síochána will be further enhanced by a new national DNA database which is scheduled to become operational shortly. I fully recognise the very significant contribution of Forensic Science Ireland within the criminal justice system and the vital role it has in providing evidence for the courts. In that context and in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any question of detailed Garda deployment and resource management, it is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to evaluate and consider the benefits of relevant policing and crime prevention strategies. I have, however, brought the Deputy's proposal to the attention of the Garda authorities. An Garda Síochána is proactive in encouraging...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Authority Establishment (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The introduction of legislation to provide for a Policing Authority is a key element of the Government's comprehensive programme of justice reform. Drafting of the Bill to establish the new Authority is proceeding as a matter of priority and I look forward to publishing it in the near future. Currently the Chairperson-designate of the Policing Authority, Ms Josephine Feehily, is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Status Applications (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Applications for refugee status rose by 53% in 2014 and in the first two months of this year were 129% ahead of the same period in 2014. This has resulted in the median processing times at first instance increasing from 12 weeks in January 2014 to 21 weeks in January 2015. The median processing time for appeals of refugee status decisions in 2014 was some 49 weeks for appeals involving an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Authority Establishment (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The introduction of legislation to provide for a Policing Authority is a key element of the Government's comprehensive programme of justice reform. Drafting of the Bill to establish the new Authority is proceeding as a matter of priority and I look forward to publishing it in the near future. In this context the functions of the Authority are being addressed. In addition, an allocation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Remit (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an independent statutory body established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The objectives, functions and powers of GSOC are governed by the 2005 Act. The Act also provides that the management and control generally of the officers, administration and business of GSOC is the responsibility of the Chairperson of GSOC. It...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Investigation (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The callous and brutal murder of Garda Fallon was of course a terrible tragedy for his family and an affront to the democratic institutions of this State. I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that the Serious Crime Review Team of An Garda Síochána, which is carrying out a review of this case, expects to be in a position to conclude their inquiries by May, 2015. I am further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Forensic Science Ireland (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I fully recognise the very significant contribution of Forensic Science Ireland within the criminal justice system and the vital role it has in providing evidence for the courts. The organisation operates to the highest standards and, given the nature and importance of the functions involved, it is essential that this is, and will continue to be, the case. In that context the provision...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I set out in my answer to Question No. 164 of 26th March 2015 and will reiterate now, the European Commission has expressed a concern that Ireland's current legal services advertising regime may be in breach of Article 24 of Directive 2006/123/EC ('the Services Directive'). In general terms, while the Directive permits certain restrictions on legal services advertising that are informed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, 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 as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Investigation (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The allegations of sexual abuse by members of the Provisional IRA and allegations of cover ups of these crimes continue to be a matter of considerable public concern. What is of most concern in the current circumstances is the potential for current risks to children in our communities from unknown child abusers – this must be the priority for everyone in addressing this issue. It...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Remit (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into operation on 15 July, 2014 as part of this Government's comprehensive approach to enhance the protection available to whistle blowers, including Garda whistleblowers. Section 19 of the Act inserted a new provision into the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) to be a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Síochána (Amendment) Act 2015 has recently been enacted and it expands the remits of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. In addition, as the Deputy will be aware, the introduction of legislation to provide for a Policing Authority is a key element of the Government's comprehensive programme of justice reform....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: An application for a 'visit' visa, from the person referred to by the Deputy, was received by officials in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department. The application was refused on 11 February, 2015 and the applicant was notified of the decision. An appeal of the decision was submitted on 24 March, 2015 and is currently under consideration. I am advised by my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Registration Authority (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Registration Authority (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions. The Deputy...