Results 10,901-10,920 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (11 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The question of naturalisation/long term residency does not arise at this time in the case of the persons whose details were supplied. If the persons concerned have made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection, the Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice to comment on such applications until such time as they have fully completed the protection process. Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Certificates (11 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the person referred to by the Deputy. The application is being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence. A...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (11 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned has been granted permission to remain in the State, on immigration Stamp 3 conditions, for the period to 4th November 2015. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 4th November, 2013. The decision to grant such status was arrived at...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (11 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the first and second named dependants were granted permission to remain in the State in August, 2007 for an initial three year period, valid to 14th August, 2010. This permission to remain was renewed for a further three year period in August, 2010, valid to 14th August, 2013. These renewal...

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (11 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The House will be aware that the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 was enacted in the wake of the murder of 29 people by the Real IRA in Omagh on 15 August of that year. It was a necessary response to that atrocity and the loss of 29 innocent lives. The bombing and those murders represented a direct attack also on the fragile peace process and indeed on this State. It...

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (11 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda must have at their disposal the appropriate measures to meet this threat. The powers available under the 1998 Act are considered paramount in maintaining effective preventative action against these terrorist groups. Consequently, there is a need for the continuance of these provisions. North-South co-operation in the area of security is vital and I can assure the House that it...

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (11 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the House for taking the time to consider this most important matter. As I have said, there remains a substantial threat from terrorist activity.I note what Senator Norris has said regarding the threat in Northern Ireland, which is rated as severe. Sometimes that can go out of the public consciousness but the Senator gave us a useful reminder of that situation. The message needs to...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motion (11 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: This resolution will provide for the continuation in operation of section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 for a 12-month period beginning on 30 June 2015. The 2009 Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act was enacted as a response to a number of difficulties being experienced and where the entire justice system was under serious threat. At that time, Senators may remember that...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motion (11 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Senators for their comments and for their support. I reassure the House that An Garda Síochána will continue to bear down heavily on the activities of those involved, with particular emphasis on the linked areas of organised, gun and drug related crime. None of us, as public representatives, can be blind to the pernicious impact that organised crime, especially the drugs...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (16 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the provision of full board accommodation and the coordination of certain ancillary services to asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision. There are currently approximately 4,500 asylum seekers in 34 centres around the State. I have no plans to end direct provision. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Tribunals of Inquiry Recommendations (16 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, following the examination by An Garda Síochána of the report of the Moriarty Tribunal, the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions was sought with a view to determining whether or not a full Garda investigation should be commenced. As this process is ongoing it would not be appropriate for me to comment in further detail at this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Northern Ireland Issues (16 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 410 together. It has been the long-standing desire of the Government and the Garda Authorities to co-operate to the greatest degree possible under the law with the Northern Ireland Coroner's Inquest into the horrific murders of ten innocent people at Kingsmill, Co. Armagh by the Provisional IRA in January 1976. The Garda Authorities have been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (16 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I had no objections to the Mare Nostrum operation, run by the Italian Authorities in the Mediterranean with a strong search and rescue element. The operation ceased on commencement of the Frontex co-ordinated Operation Triton which remains ongoing. The Deputy will be aware that the LÉ Eithne was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May 2015 to engage in humanitarian search and rescue...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naval Service Operations (16 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following a Government decision, the LÉ Eithne was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May 2015 to engage in humanitarian search and rescue operations at sea as part of Ireland's overall contribution to the migrant crisis situation in the region. It has been agreed with the Italian Government that the LÉ Eithne will conduct search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (16 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 414, 466, 467 and 469 together. The aim of the independent Charities Regulatory Authority, established on 16 October 2014 under the provisions of the Charities Act 2009, is to provide for better regulation of charitable organisations through a framework of registration, regulation and support. Since its establishment, the Authority has published a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (16 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I indicated in my response to Question No. 270 of 6 May 2015, "The Government has no immediate plans to legislate for the legal enforceability and recognition of pre-nuptial agreements on the lines proposed by the Deputy. While I recognise the concerns that the Study Group on Pre-Nuptial Agreements sought to address in its recommendations on this issue, providing for the recognition or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: A budget of €500,000 has been allocated to the Policing Authority for 2015. The staffing of the Authority is currently under consideration by my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (16 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 417 and 418 together. As the Deputy is aware the Irish Prison Service collates and publishes the prisoner population breakdown, including those on temporary release, on a daily basis and this information is available on the Irish Prison Service website. Therefore I can inform the Deputy that the information requested in relation to the total prison population;...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (16 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Appointments to the position of Secretary General are a function of government, following an independent recruitment process undertaken by the Top Level Appointments Commission (TLAC) through the Public Appointments Service (PAS).As such, my Department has no involvement in the recruitment process. Last year an open international recruitment competition for the post of Secretary General...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reports (16 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Since the publication of the Report of the Independent Review Group in relation to the performance, management and administration of my Department, a change programme to address the Group's recommendations has been developed and is being implemented. The objective is to support the necessary changes to ensure the Department provides strategic oversight and added value to its agencies. ...