Results 12,961-12,980 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (16 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will recall that the information requested in both of the Parliamentary Questions referred to was not readily available at the time, and that I undertook to write to him directly on receipt of the information from the Garda Commissioner. A post reply for Parliamentary Question Number 267 of 7 July 2015 issued from my office on 23 September 2015 and a post reply for...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the House for facilitating the debate this morning. The purpose of the first amendment is to impose a statutory timeline on the Garda Commissioner for the provision by the Commissioner to the authority of the Garda strategy statement. Essentially, once we set up the new policing authority on 1 January, the Commissioner will be obliged to present the strategy statement to the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Amendment No. 3, which involves the insertion of a new subparagraph, takes into account what a number of Opposition Deputies and Senators were seeking, namely, that there should be a provision which makes explicit the authority's function to keep under review the adequacy of the arrangements for managing and deploying the resources available to An Garda Síochána so as to ensure the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: This issue was addressed in the Garda Inspectorate report. There was a great deal of consultation before the new roster scheme came into operation. Obviously, as more gardaí are recruited - and we have ongoing and continuous recruitment - some of the issues the Senator raises will be addressed. The Garda roster scheme is being considered under Haddington Road by Mr. Ray McGee....

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Amendments Nos. 4 and 5 are straightforward. They relate to a proposal to request the authority to submit to the Minister a report on any matter relating to policing services. The authority is required to submit that report as soon as it is in a position to do so. This is to ensure that there is an option for the Minister of the day to request a report on a particular topic from the Garda...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: With regard to Senator Mooney's point about Garda morale, the Garda Inspectorate held its focus groups with members of the Garda Síochána approximately two years ago. Given that the Government is managing the economy effectively, we are able to invest in ongoing Garda recruitment. We have 1,150 new gardaí and have allocated an investment of several hundred million euro for...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The purpose of the amendments is to enable the authority or the Minister to refer matters to GSOC for consideration as to whether GSOC should initiate a public interest investigation under section 102(4). This is an important provision.

Seanad: Prison Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Regarding group 1, amendments Nos. 1 and 3, there was a court case earlier this year, NBO v.the Minister for Justice and Equality, during which the High Court considered the temporary release of a person who was subject to a deportation order and was deported immediately after being granted temporary release.The High Court decided that the temporary release provision does not permit the...

Seanad: Prison Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I assure Senator Ó Clochartaigh that the amendment will not affect the operation of existing procedures under immigration legislation, for example, where a person wishes to appeal or seek a review of a deportation order. It is not intended in any way to cut across the person's rights. If they are in prison or seeking an appeal or review, that process has to be completed. It is not a...

Seanad: Prison Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: A serious terrorist threat faces Europe and some countries are under severe threat from terrorists. While we in Ireland know that an attack is possible, we do not consider it to be likely. Having said that, we have to be very rigorous in our monitoring of the situation and of anybody who might raise concerns. I assure the Senator that An Garda Síochána, which acts as the security...

Seanad: Prison Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Of the second group of amendments, amendment No. 2 is a technical amendment relating to warrants issued by courts in Dublin for the committal of persons to prison. It arises from an issue that has emerged in very recent High Court proceedings. Outside of the Dublin district, warrants are addressed to An Garda Síochána in accordance with very old legislation. However, the District...

Seanad: Prison Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Bill before the House is a straightforward effort to deal with the case of Grant v.the Governor of Cloverhill Prison. It is right to introduce this amendment to ensure that the arrangements are clear for Dublin and that it is permitted in the District Court rules. Regarding the broader point that Members have made, the Government introduced legislation on the payment of fines, which was...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Bill was developed following detailed consultation with Garda management and with the detectives working on the ground to tackle burglary every day. It addresses two key problems they identified, namely, the relative ease with which repeat offenders can obtain bail and the fact relatively short sentences can be imposed by the courts when multiple burglary offences are taken into account....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cross-Border Co-operation (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 362 together. The new Stormont Agreement, A Fresh Start, provides for a concerted effort on the part of both Governments to tackle cross-border organised crime and criminality including that linked to paramilitarism. The Agreement establishes a new Joint Agency Task Force which will have representatives comprised of senior management and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, I have no direct role in the enforcement of road traffic legislation, which is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. I am, however, advised by the Garda authorities that since 31 July 2015, cycling without reasonable consideration is one of seven offences for which a cyclist may receive a Fixed Charge Notice. I am further informed that, since...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (17 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. The unit referred to is known as the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) and is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Horses (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras an Úachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and has a National remit, under the direction and control of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Opening Hours (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have received the information from the Garda Commissioner requested by the Deputy, regarding the opening hours of each Garda station. The information requested is being compiled in the format requested and will be sent to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I have informed the House in response to previous questions on this matter, appointments to the position of Secretary General are a function of Government. The recruitment process is undertaken by the Top Level Appointments Commission (TLAC) through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). I can inform the Deputy that the situation in relation to the Secretary General position in my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (17 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. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí...