Results 12,861-12,880 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that if the person concerned has made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection in the State, the Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice to comment on such applications until they have fully completed the Protection Process. This is in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Refugee Act,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Costs (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions to settle cases involve a careful balancing of the circumstances pertaining in the case, including consideration of legal advice, with a view to limiting the State's exposure to further costs or expense. I am satisfied that the correct procedures in the case raised by the Deputy were followed in deciding to settle the proceedings.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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. In 2014, this Government rended the moratorium on Garda recruitment introduced...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will know, the Coroners Bill 2007 provides for a comprehensive reform of the Coroners Act 1962 and of the existing coroner system, including the establishment of a new Coroner Service. It incorporates many of the recommendations made by the Coroners Review Group in 2000, and by the Coroners Rules Committee in 2003, as well as a detailed review of reforms to coronial systems in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Law (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: In September, I published the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015. The Bill provides for two new offences of purchasing sexual services in the context of prostitution. The purpose of these offences is to target the demand for prostitution. These proposals have been developed following extensive consultation, and implement the recommendation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Legislation (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Garda authorities that members of An Garda Síochána have the power to require a vehicle in a public place to stop under Section 109 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, and that failure by the driver to do so is an offence. I am further advised that mechanically propelled vehicles used in a public place must comply with the Road Traffic Acts, including in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Application Numbers (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the Legal Aid Board is independent in the exercise of its functions, in accordance with Section 3 (3) of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1994. As a result, I am not responsible or accountable to the Dáil for the manner in which the Board carries out its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I can inform her that the information sought is...

Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015: Order for Report Stage (10 Dec 2015)

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

International Protection Bill 2015: Second Stage (10 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to have this opportunity to introduce the International Protection Bill 2015. I look forward to engaging with Deputies as we progress the Bill through the various stages. I thank Members of both Houses who contributed to the pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Bill as part of the work of the Joint...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2015: First Stage (10 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: No.

Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2015: Referral to Joint Committee (10 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move:That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the following regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2015, copies of which were laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 9 December 2015, be referred to the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, in accordance with Standing Order 82A(4)(j), which, not later than...

International Protection Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputies who have contributed to the discussion on this Bill. I will take up a number of individual points that have been raised by Deputies. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked whether older people could benefit from family reunification. Older people are identified as a category under section 57, which acknowledges categories of vulnerable people. The Bill fully complies with all...

International Protection Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Next Wednesday.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Pension Provisions (10 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Payments to retired members of An Garda Síochána are made from the Garda Síochána Vote (Vote 20). As the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for An Garda Síochána, I have asked for her views on this issue and I will write directly to the Deputy on receipt of same.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (10 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and has responsibility for the deployment of resources as determined by operational needs. In that context I am advised by the Garda authorities that a total of fifteen body worn cameras were purchased by An Garda Síochána in 2012 for the purposes of evaluating body-worn camera technology as an alternative to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (10 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that I have no role in relation to the prosecution of offences. I have sought information from the Courts Service in relation to number of cases referred to and will contact the Deputy when this data is to hand. Certain data in relation to recorded offences and court outcomes is available from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and I have requested the CSO to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commencement of Legislation (10 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am planning to sign the commencement order in relation to significant portions of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, including section 52, before the end of the year. Section 52 stipulates when a person's guardianship of a child ends, being on the death of the guardian, the child's attaining the age of 18, or the child's marriage, whichever first occurs. However, while...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff Rehiring (10 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that, since 2004, there have been no reinstatements following retirement on the grounds of ill-health in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (10 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing. Certain information was requested from the applicant on 3 November 2015 and a response has been received. The case will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (10 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 15 of the Act provides that the Minister may, in her absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation if satisfied certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. In particular, these conditions require that an applicant is of good character. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and...