Results 12,601-12,620 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Since it was launched on 2 November Operation Thor has led to a number of important arrests in various locations around the country, as well as the seizure of firearms and illegal drugs, since it was launched on 2 November 2015. I have requested a report from the Garda authorities along the lines requested by the Deputy and will contact him directly when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: In reply to the Deputy's Questions of 17 April 2014 it was stated that many of the recommendations made by the Oireachtas Committee had been followed through. It was also stated that further information was being sought from the Garda authorities and that further communication would be made with the Deputy when the information was to hand. I received further information from the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána has provided the OPW with a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The position is as stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 313 of 17 November 2015. The person to whom the Deputy refers has been notified of the outcome of the review of her complaint under the Independent Review Mechanism. The person has been informed, amongst other things, of the position of any witness making a statement to An Garda Síochána who subsequently requests a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of available Garda resources. This includes personnel, Garda vehicles and the various technologies utilised to support front-line Gardaí and intelligence-led operations against organised crime. This process takes account of annual policing priorities determined by me as Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (1 Dec 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 taking into account 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 to 345, inclusive, together. In taking steps to deal with any threat to this State, An Garda Síochána deploys a strong intelligence base with a well-trained, armed special intervention and support capacity, and a range of other local and national policing and investigative resources. Developing good intelligence domestically and enhancing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including new probationer Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources. I have been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 348 together. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide the available statistical information directly...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Organised Crime (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that the operation of organised crime groups is closely monitored on an ongoing basis by An Garda Síochána and that tackling these groups remains a key ongoing priority for both the Government and An Garda Síochána. This priority is clearly reflected in the Garda Policing Plan for 2015. In tackling organised crime activity, An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drugs Crime (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Drug trafficking has long been recognised as one of the most profitable of criminal activities. Targeting drug trafficking and supply has therefore remained a priority for law enforcement authorities worldwide. The Policing Plan of An Garda Síochána sets out the continued commitment of An Garda Síochána to pro-actively target groups and individuals engaged in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Organised Crime (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that the operation of organised crime groups is closely monitored on an ongoing basis by An Garda Síochána and that tackling these groups remains a key ongoing priority for both the Government and An Garda Síochána. This priority is clearly reflected in the Garda Síochána Policing Plan for 2015. In targeting such activity An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme was implemented in An Garda Síochána during 2012 and 2013. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that as of 27th November 2015 there were 3,785 prisoners in custody with a bed capacity of 4,116 which allows for the safe and secure custody for all categories of prisoner. This equates to an occupancy rate of 92%. As the Deputy will be aware there is a standard operational procedure in place to ensure that upon committal, all offenders are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the the Irish Prison Service that it provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes to those in custody that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes offer purposeful activity to those in custody while serving their sentences and encouraging them to lead law abiding lives...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that there is no waiting period associated with the granting of criminal legal aid under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962; the Courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid upon the applicant's appearance in Court. A new Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill is currently being drafted which will update and strengthen the system...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (1 Dec 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. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Gardai assigned to County Louth Garda Division on the 31 October 2015, the latest dates for which figures are readily available are 281 of which 104 are assigned...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 lays down the conditions governing the operation of CCTV schemes in public areas. This includes the need for all such CCTV schemes to be authorised in writing by the Garda Commissioner. CCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention, and as aids to policing in areas to which the general public routinely have access such as town...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff Data (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information sought by the Deputy in respect of staff of my Department is as follows. There are some 11 staff who are classified under contracts of indefinite duration. All of these staff members are receiving incremental salary payments.

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Senators will recall that we inserted a new Part into the Bill relating to the powers of the authority to inspect premises and dwellings. The amendments in this group make some minor adjustments to these powers. Amendment No. 44 has been tabled on the advice of the Attorney General to ensure that an inspector may use reasonable force to enter a place in the exercise of his or her functions...