Results 12,801-12,820 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2015: Second Stage (7 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank all the Senators for their unanimous support across the House for the closure of St. Patrick's. It is long overdue indeed, as we know, and I am delighted to be in a position to bring the Bill to the House. We have had wide-ranging comments on the associated issues that arise when we talk about young or older people being in detention centres and prisons. Some really interesting...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2015: Second Stage (7 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: While I am sure he would state that it has taken far too long for his recommendation to be implemented, nevertheless, as Senator Quinn noted, we should take this opportunity to send him birthday greetings for his 99th birthday tomorrow and to thank him for his considerable service to the State. A number of other people were mentioned here today, including the late Dr. Paul O'Mahony, who had...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2015: Second Stage (7 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am pleased to have the opportunity to introduce the Courts Bill 2015 to the House and look forward to engaging with Members as we progress the Bill through the various Stages. It is brief in content, having just one single purpose, to provide for an increase in the maximum number of High Court judges from 35 to 37. Under Article 36 of the Constitution, the number of judges of the...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2015: Second Stage (7 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Senators for their response to this request. Clearly, there is a great deal of pressure on the courts system, with the increasing number of cases being taken in areas such as business and competition, medical negligence and planning, as well as the increasing number being taken by lay litigants. I thank Senators for supporting the Bill.A number of issues have arisen, primarily...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, the day to day management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions and I am responsible for ensuring that the Service is adequately funded. The Courts Service Vote for 2015 is €107.965 million which is an increase of €2.0 million on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service Expenditure (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the provision of legal aid falls within two separate categories, that is, civil legal aid and criminal legal aid. Details in respect of each category are outlined below. Criminal Legal Aid The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means. Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Legal Services Regulation Bill, which is scheduled to complete its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas this week, gives legislative expression to the commitment in the programme for Government to "establish independent regulation of the legal professions to improve access and competition, make legal costs more transparent and ensure adequate procedures for addressing consumer...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have asked the Garda authorities for the information requested and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting Applications (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that a vetting application in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers was received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit on 12 November 2015. The application was processed and returned to the registered organisation on 25 November 2015. It would be advisable for the applicant to contact the registered organisation to ascertain the current position.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Refurbishment (8 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 co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I am advised by the Commissioner that the male and female toilets at Coolock Garda Station were refurbished in 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Commissioner that the Garda Air Support Unit currently consists of a fixed wing Defender aircraft and two EC135T2 helicopters. Earlier this year I secured an additional €1.8 million in capital funding for the replacement and upgrade of equipment on the Defender aircraft. The question of the replacement of the Defender aircraft as it nears the end of its estimated...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Meetings (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that in the time available to do so it has not been possible to gather all the information requested. I will contact the Deputy directly when the information comes to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The total photography costs paid for my Department from the date of my appointment as Minister on the 8th May 2014 to 30th Nov 2015 are €1,776.12. I can inform the Deputy that photographic services are only used by my Department where necessary and consideration is always given to the costs involved when sourcing such services. A tender framework is in place and used to procure these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Relations Contracts Data (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has not incurred any costs in relation to the provision of public relations services from the date of my appointment on 8th May 2014 up to a current date. It is my Department's policy to use in house resources as much as possible and to restrict the use of external groups to a minimum.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Consultancy Contracts Data (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that in the time available to do so it has not been possible to gather all the information requested. I will contact the Deputy directly when the information comes to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Advisers Data (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I was appointed as Minister for Justice and Equality in May 2014 and, from that date, three special advisors were employed, two of whom job shared and one other engaged on a full time basis. This was the equivalent of two posts paid at the Principal Officer standard scale (on a pro-rata basis). Since May of this year two advisors work on a full time work pattern. My predecessor, Alan Shatter...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, and the conduct of any case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. All Court records, including recordings of court proceedings, are under the control of the presiding Judge, as provided for in section 65(3) of the Court Officers Act, 1926....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Independent Review Mechanism (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is referring to the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may be required in each case. A panel consisting of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the publication of recorded crime statistics. I have requested the CSO to provide the available information directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that dismissals from the prison service are governed by the Civil Service Regulation Acts. If the Deputy would like to provide further details of a particular case I will certainly endeavour to provide a comprehensive response. However, I can state that the Irish Prison Service receives advice on the health and welfare of...