Results 14,641-14,660 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The heads of the first Bill Deputy Healy-Rae asked about will be available in July and I will revert to him on the second point. I do not have the details on that.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, has left. I will have to revert to Deputy Chambers on that. I do not know what the arrangements are but the heads of the Bill in regard to the children's hospital will be published in July.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will have to revert to the Deputy on that.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government has identified this as a very important area for further investment and money is available for investment to deal with the waiting lists for children, particularly those under five years of age. There are major inconsistencies in the waiting times around the country. There is a real problem in respect of recruitment. The money will be available over the course of this year...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is hoped that Bill will go for pre-legislative scrutiny shortly.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The issue is being pursued and we will reply to the Deputy with some further details in the next couple of days. It has not yet been restored to the Order Paper and was originally a Private Members' Bill.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016 is being debated in the Seanad and, with the support from this House and the Seanad, it should become law before the end of this term. We certainly hope the legislation will go through as the Garda Síochána has made it very clear that it needs it to be in place so that it can interrupt the trading in prescription drugs which is taking place...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: That Bill is well advanced. It is at drafting stage but much work has been done on it and it is a priority.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: They have not been made yet.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I believe the two Bills will be dealt with separately but a huge amount of work has been done. There were some serious constitutional issues to be worked through in respect of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill but I understand that it is now possible to deal with the complex issues in the Bill and I have no doubt it will be a priority this year for the Minister for Children and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The entitlement to Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Section 15 of the Act provides that the Minister may, in her absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are that the applicant must: - be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an appeal in respect of the application referred to was received by the Irish Visa Office in New Delhi on 4 April, 2016. A decision was made on 9 June, 2016 and a letter issued to the applicant on the same date. The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Penalty Points System (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that I have no function in relation to the bringing of prosecutions for road traffic or other offences. To be of assistance, I have sought the observations of the Garda authorities in relation to the matters referred to and will contact the Deputy directly as soon as the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Judicial appointments are made by the President acting on the advice of the Government. Such appointments are dealt with by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board which was established pursuant to the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995. Under section 16 of the Act, where a judicial office stands vacant or before a vacancy in a judicial office arises, the Advisory Board submits to me, as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders Restrictions (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Sex Offenders Act 2001 provides that all sex offenders, subject to the provisions of Part 2 of that Act, must notify An Garda Síochána of their name and address, and any subsequent change to those details, for a specified period of time following the relevant conviction. Where a sex offender is sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 2 years or more, he or she will be subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including both sworn and civilian personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Units and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assignments throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Refurbishment (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works, which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I am advised by Garda authorities that plans have been submitted by the Office of Public Works to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I as Minister have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: My predecessor as Minister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter, met with the four religious congregations involved in June 2013. They were asked to make a contribution to the cost of implementing the Magdalen Laundries Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme. Following reflection on the matter all four congregations declined to make a financial contribution towards the implementation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (23 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 to 74, inclusive, together. The Deputy refers to a case which has been the subject of a review carried out under the Independent Review Mechanism set up by the Government to consider complaints of Garda misconduct received by the Taoiseach and myself. The reports provided by counsel and containing their recommendations in each case constitute legal...