Results 12,981-13,000 of 15,908 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Visa Applications (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: One of the important ways we will do this is through investment in technology.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Visa Applications (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: We have already seen the investment in the normal visa structures but also in the international protection system and how this has allowed us to process many more applications.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I agree that the impact organised crime and those involved in organised crime can have on our communities is devastating. They intimidate and inflict violence and misery on all parts of our community. It is a top priority for me, my Government and this Department to take swift action supported by and supporting the Garda Commissioner and his team. This includes increasing the maximum...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: This is not an issue that we can deal with alone and that is why An Garda Síochána has significant engagement and very strong links with Interpol and Europol. We have worked very closely with the Maritime Analysis and Operation Centre - Narcotics, based in Lisbon. We have deployed Garda liaison officers to specific countries which we know are problematic where drugs are coming...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: We need to come at this from a number of different angles. There is not one single solution to resolve what is a problem not just in Ireland but right across the world. We need to continue to invest in and support An Garda Síochána to work with its partners across the globe to try to tackle at source the organised crime groups and those who are responsible for producing this. We...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: In recent years, I have increased investment at every level of the international protection system, including in the International Protection Office, to deal effectively with the increase in applications. As a consequence, there are now more than 500 staff based at the Mount Street premises, involved in all stages of the international protection process, from initial registration, through to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan. It is for the reason he has outlined and I have outlined, which is a significant increase in the number of international protection applicants, that a second centre has been opened. Almost 50% of applicants who would have been going to Mount Street are now going to Citywest. I believe it is a more appropriate location, particularly when women and children are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the previous Deputy just mentioned, we have joined the EU migration pact and, obviously, there is a significant amount of planning under way to make sure we are ready to fully join the pact within the two-year timeframe when it becomes operational. As part of that, we are exploring, as we have been doing and investing in recent years, new and innovative ways in which we can expand our...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: It has always been my view that members of An Garda Síochána should have access to and be wearing body-worn cameras for two very clear reasons. First, I believe it helps in keeping them safe. As the Deputy rightly said, it is important they have that ability to capture an incident as it occurs and have a real picture as to what happened as opposed to an edited or potentially...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: It is so important that the pilot is finished and these are rolled out right across the country for all the reasons I have acknowledged.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Garda hopes to have that analysis done by the end of the year and then, obviously, it will look to what will be needed beyond that. The new digital evidence management system has to be developed to be able to back up all of this information. It is a huge amount. We have a budget of €155 million for ICT alone this year. That is assisting in the development and roll-out of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I believe these will be a game-changer. In the short space of time in which we have seen them rolled out, the positive feedback has been exceptional. I have had no negative feedback. There have been no incidences that I have been told about or made aware of where cameras have not worked or have been defective. They are very different, however. Some of them can actually show the picture...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: My number one priority is to significantly increase the number of Gardaí. Our current target is for 15,000 Garda members, 4,000 Garda staff and 2,000 Reserves. The closure of the Garda college during the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted on Garda numbers, with the Garda Commissioner indicating that there would be 1,000 additional Gardaí today if it had not been for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I recognise the important role played by barristers and solicitors in support of the administration of criminal justice, both in the context of defending people who are accused of crimes and working with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of prosecutions. Ireland’s system of criminal legal aid has served the country well over the last 60 years. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders Notification Requirements (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: There is a robust framework of legislation in place to monitor and manage the risk posed by convicted sex offenders to the community. Convicted sex offenders are subject to part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 which imposes notification requirements on the offender. The offender is obliged to notify An Garda Síochána of their personal details, and of any changes to them,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, earlier this year, a Government strategy was put in place to address the presence of tents and rough sleeping in the vicinity of the International Protection Office in Mount Street. As part of this strategy, a joint operation involving the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; my Department; An Garda Síochána; Dublin...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Air Navigation Orders (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, Irish law prohibits the carriage of munitions of war by civil aircraft in Irish sovereign territory and by Irish registered aircraft, wherever they may be. Exemptions to this prohibition may be granted by the Minister for Transport under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989. When processing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the right to protest is guaranteed under the Constitution. Of course, people do not have the right to behave in a way that causes others to fear for their safety, and An Garda Síochána monitors protest activity where there is potential for breaches of public order. The rule of law, human rights and the principle of proportionality are respected at...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Social Media (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Government is committed to delivering effective data protection regulation and protection of the data privacy rights of EU citizens. As the Deputy will be aware, the General Data Protection Regulation does not apply to the personal data of deceased persons. The rights of the relatives of deceased persons to control the social media accounts of a relative...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: The recruitment process for An Garda Síochána includes security clearance and vetting procedures for good reason, as the organisation fulfils a unique dual role as our national police and security service. I can, of course, understand the frustration of anyone who applies to join the Gardaí and who must wait for the various checks to be complete before being offered a...