Results 14,621-14,640 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The question of providing for an offence of membership of a criminal gang, in a manner similar to the approach taken in the Offences Against the State Acts with regard to membership of a proscribed organisation, has arisen from time to time. In this regard, it is important to understand the issues which arise in seeking to simply outlaw membership of a criminal gang in such a manner....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and decisions in relation to Garda station opening hours, in An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters. I am informed that Garda management closely monitors the allocation of all resources in the context of crime trends,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 93 together. As the Deputy will be aware the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the publication of recorded crime statistics. To be of assistance, I have requested the CSO to contact the Deputy directly in relation to the information requested. I am advised that Garda management constantly monitor the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, 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 regard to the deployment of Garda personnel,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service publish the capacity of its prisons and the numbers in custody on a daily basis on their website (). I can further advise that a breakdown of the offence groups for which individuals were incarcerated on 31 May 2016, the latest date for which an offence breakdown is available, is included in the table below. Offence Group Description ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes to those in custody that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes can offer purposeful activity to those in custody while serving their sentences and encouraging them to lead law...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Ireland is working proactively with our colleagues in Europe to ensure that Ireland and the European Union responds comprehensively to this critical humanitarian challenge. Ireland has clearly played its part in this regard by sending some of our Naval vessels to the Mediterranean to carry out vital search and rescue missions to ensure the safety of many people trying to come to Europe for...

Leaders' Questions (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I, too, congratulate the Republic of Ireland soccer team on what was a momentous win last night in Lille. The match and that goal will rank right up there with the best of our memories of Irish soccer. I say well done to Martin, Roy, Robbie and the entire team, and, of course the fans, whom everyone will agree have done us proud and lifted all our spirts. I say very well done to them and...

Leaders' Questions (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree with the Deputy in respect of the challenge it poses and the need for action. The review obviously is the first part of the response by the Department of Finance to the issue. An internal review such as is being done is important and the Deputy will agree it is a complex issue. It is important to identify the variety of factors that are contributing to it. For example, the...

Leaders' Questions (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Government has stated consistently in this regard, it is not tolerable that in Ireland today, families and children such as Áine's are living in emergency accommodation or are having difficulty accessing such accommodation. That is why this issue is a priority for the Government. That is why the housing committee was established before all others and it did its work and made its...

Leaders' Questions (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It should be noted that more than 2,000 sustainable tenancies were secured for homeless households during 2015 which allowed people to exit homelessness. That is very important. The Deputy asked me to demonstrate the Government's commitment. I believe that many of the actions already taken demonstrate that. With regard to providing more emergency accommodation, the increased funding for...

Leaders' Questions (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, I have met with members of the Stardust victims committee and heard their concerns about how this tragedy has been investigated. There have been a number of reports to date. I have put in place a process in the Department of Justice and Equality whereby the committee can liaise directly and intensively with officials in the Department who have given a huge amount of...

Leaders' Questions (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I recognise what the Deputy said about previous injustices. One should always look at the evidence, have an open mind and not rule out the possibility of a further inquiry or commission of investigation in appropriate circumstances. That is why we have been engaging with the committee over recent months analysing very carefully and taking very seriously the evidence it is presenting to see...

Leaders' Questions (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: At this point, it would be unwise to speculate on the outcome of the referendum in the UK. Polls appear to show that it will be a close finish. The Government's position is very clear on our preferred outcome. I agree with the Deputy that the debate in the UK has thrown into very sharp relief the citizens' views on the EU, both for and against. It will impact the debate in this country...

Leaders' Questions (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Of course, the evidence will be looked at and the relevant committee will have an opportunity to have further discussion on this. I have two points to make in its regard. First, all existing regulation, for example, on the environment, labour and food, will be protected. Second, it is important to note that the right of Government to regulate will be protected. Those are two important...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: On Deputy Michael McGrath's first question, as he will be aware, the committees are only being set up. There is not yet a date for the Committee Stage of that. Obviously, when the committees are set up, whatever will be the date of Committee Stage is an issue which the relevant committee will decide on. On the second point the Deputy raised regarding Console, obviously we would all be...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government could certainly approach the relevant bodies. We handled the public screening of the results of the marriage equality referendum very well at Dublin Castle last year. I am sure that could be replicated.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: We expect to have that Bill in the next few days. The intention is to bring it to the House before the end of this session. We can certainly see if the new terms of reference can be agreed at the same time. The Taoiseach will certainly consider that.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government has already restated on a number of occasions its absolute commitment to the Lansdowne Road agreement. If there is a report due in respect of the FEMPI legislation, I will revert to the Deputy on the timeframe for that but the Government has consistently repeated its commitment to the Lansdowne Road agreement. We saw the summer economic statement yesterday and the important...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will revert to Deputy Smith.