Results 13,201-13,220 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 20 August 2009 and therefore has no entitlement to residency in the State. Representations were received from the person's legal representative dated 24 August 2009, which were examined in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended)....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The person concerned lodged an application for asylum at the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner on 19th November 2014. Following investigation by that office, it was established that the person concerned had been in possession of a valid visa issued by the United Kingdom authorities at the time of their asylum application in this State. Arising from their previous visa...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 04 May 2010 and therefore has no entitlement to residency in the State. Representations were received from the person concerned pursuant to Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to revoke the Deportation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, made on 11th March, 2005 following a comprehensive and thorough examination of their asylum claim and a detailed examination of the representations they submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended)....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy is resident here on the basis of an extension of student permission, granted under the Irish Graduate Programme as an exceptional measure to allow him or her to seek an employment permit-based position. This temporary permission is due to come to an end shortly. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned made an application for retention of permission to reside in the State, on an individual and personal basis, arising from a change in their personal circumstances. I am informed that INIS wrote to the person on 15 January, 2016 to advise that they were granted permission to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 1 December 2015. This Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. However, if new information or circumstances have come to light, which has a direct bearing on their...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The term "image" arises in section 6(1)(b) in the context of the offence of causing a child to watch sexual activity. Section 8(4) sets out the definition of "sexually explicit material". The section sets out how it is an offence to send such material to a child by means of information and communications technology. For the purposes of clarity, it is proposed to define the word "image" to...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Senators for the amendments. As stated by Senator van Turnhout, the effect of these amendments would be to substitute the term "child sexual abuse material" for "child pornography" throughout this Bill and the other Acts in which it appears. The EU directive on child sexual exploitation and pornography uses the term that is used in this Bill. However, I appreciate Senator van...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Senators Walsh and Wilson for the amendment. The effect of the amendment would be to remove the possibility of imposing a fine as part of the penalty for an offence under section 3. That includes the offences of obtaining or providing a child for the purposes of sexual exploitation and related offences. The aim of the amendment is to ensure persons convicted of such appalling...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: To suggest for a moment that the approach we are taking in this Bill is the result of lobbying is absolutely and totally incorrect.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: For the reasons I have outlined.To suggest that the Government or, indeed, anybody who would be working on this Bill or the approach we have taken in this Bill has any ambivalence whatsoever in relation to the offences that we are talking about is simply outrageous and untrue. If we were to accept the amendment it would bring the penalty for this offence out of line with penalties for...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----but also a person tried summarily indicating a minor offence may elect a trial by jury which brings them into this penalty range. That is an important point. The reasons are as I have outlined. To extrapolate from the approach we have taken in this part of the legislation and to suggest that the Government is not putting the best interests of the child first, in a week when the Child...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am conscious that these very important amendments have been introduced at what might be a late Stage of the debate on this Bill in this House. They are a response to the amendments in which Senators Zappone, van Turnhout and others have had a particular interest. Detailed discussions have been held with Senators regarding the approach to this section. I thank all Senators who have made...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am listening.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Senator may go ahead.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I advise Senator David Norris that the term is used under existing law. It is used here in the same context as sexual intercourse, also described as an act under section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 which involves penetration and that these are commonly used and understood in this area of law. There is a precedence. In regard to the points made by Senator Jillian van...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: These amendments follow a review of the penalties for prostitution offences. The offences for which I am increasing the penalty in this amendment - organising prostitution, living on the earnings of prostitution and brothel-keeping - are central to the exploitation of vulnerable women and men who find themselves engaged in prostitution. Increasing the penalties to the maximum available for...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is important to put on the record that the provisions in the Bill which criminalise the purchase of sexual services have been very much informed by data and evidence. I have read around the issue and have met with those on different sides of this debate. I refer the Senators, and Senator Norris in particular, to the Oireachtas committee report on the matter to see the wide range of...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am quoting the research I have. Senator Norris quoted research.