Results 11,401-11,420 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Data (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Penalty Points System Data (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: For ease of reference, the information sought by the Deputy was 'for the years 2013 to date in 2015, based on District Court areas, by year, the number of drivers that paid their fixed charge penalty point notices within the 56 days provided; of those who paid, the number that had the penalty points applied to their licences; and the report on current procedure for processing payment of fixed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Driver Licence Data (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I hope to be in a position to communicate with the Deputy in relation to this matter in the near future.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the procedures for implementing disciplinary matters for Prison Officers are set out in the Statutory Instrument Prison (Disciplinary Code for Officers) Rules, 1996 as amended by the Prison (Disciplinary Code for Officers) (Amendment) Rules 2009. This Statutory Instrument provides for an oral hearing to be heard by the Governor where an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Investigations (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that an internal examination of staff concerns at Portlaoise Prison was undertaken and a summary report issued to all participants involved in that process on 18 December 2013. I am further advised by the Director General that the participants in this examination were assured that discussions would remain confidential....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (15 Jul 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. The Deputy will be aware that the first intake...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Mediation Bill, which is currently being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, will introduce an obligation on solicitors and barristers to advise any person wishing to commence legal proceedings to give consideration to mediation as an alternative dispute resolution option before embarking on such proceedings. It will also provide that a court may, following the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am pleased to attend the committee to discuss the nomination of Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring for appointment by the President to the position of chairperson of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. I believe that Ms Justice Ring will be an excellent chairperson of GSOC. The Government is proposing Ms Ring to fill the vacancy of chairperson of the ombudsman commission arising...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I think it indicates that the work of GSOC is becoming well known as is the procedure and process by which complaints can be made. One of the issues I have been pursuing with both An Garda Síochána and GSOC, is whether a mechanism could be developed - which both sides would like to see - but we have not come up with a mechanism yet. Every complaint is serious but I have raised...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: One would not expect the relationship between an oversight body like GSOC and An Garda Síochána to be without tension. I would expect tensions in that relationship. It is, after all, the body to which one makes a complaint and which subsequently investigates that complaint, calling people to account. It follows a tough and analytical procedure in which people and events are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The reply to many of the Deputy’s questions is actually what is laid down in the legislation. I am following the same procedure that was followed very successfully in 2006 by a previous Government. Then, a Circuit Court judge, the late Kevin Haugh, was appointed and, as is allowed under the Act, became a judge of the High Court. Everyone will agree he that did an excellent job as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: We established a panel. I asked for expressions of interest. We had a panel consisting of Tom Arnold, Sylda Langford and Frances Ruane. We had a number of names from that panel, but the Government decided to nominate Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Judges tend not to apply to such panels.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: We set up an expressions of interest panel, and the people I referred to were to compile a shortlist from these.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: No. They are independent. Tom Arnold was the head of the Constitutional Convention. Sylda Langford is a former assistant secretary general of the Department of Justice and Equality and director general of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in the then Department of Health and Children. Frances Ruane is the former director of the Economic and Social Research...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: No. They just looked at the expressions of interest.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been seeking time in the Dáil to introduce the Bill because it is ready to proceed. The Deputy may have noted that the position of chief executive officer of the new policing authority was advertised two or three weeks ago. We also intend to establish a panel of individuals to be appointed to the authority. I expect that the legislation will be debated as a priority as soon as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank members for their support for the nomination of Ms Justice Ring, who will do an excellent job. There is no doubt that she is assuming a challenging role. It is very important that members of the public have confidence in the Garda Síochána, as Deputies McFadden and Anne Ferris noted. It is equally important that members of the public and the Garda have confidence in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have recently used section 109 of the legislation in response to a tragic recent case. This section, which had not been used previously, permits a Minister to order an investigation. It could potentially be used for the investigation of serious matters. If concerns were to arise about the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, members of the public would probably avail of a...

Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill 2015: Order for Report Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."