Results 15,861-15,880 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Leaders' Questions (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----that we are open to negotiations. The Deputy talked about culs-de-sac.

Leaders' Questions (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are offers on the table. We want to continue with that discussion. With regard to Deputy McDonald's point about equality, of course the Government is committed to equality. We want to create a new equality that was not possible when the country was bankrupt

Leaders' Questions (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I reiterate that we have laid out a route forward for that. There is a pathway that guarantees as far as is possible that the economic recovery will continue and, indeed, that we will be in a position to pay for what everyone in this House wants to see, which is good wages in the public sector and money available to invest in public services. The route we have outlined in respect of the...

Leaders' Questions (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----in order that we can have a success to the Lansdowne Road agreement is the way forward to achieve what the Deputy was speaking about.

Leaders' Questions (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputy, who has highlighted an area that is of huge concern in terms of the impact on individuals and families and the addiction that is often central to involvement in it. As the Deputy stated, the Bill's scheme was published some years ago. The Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, has taken responsibility for dealing with this issue and is prioritising it in his work. The...

Leaders' Questions (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The gambling control Bill's published scheme will have consumer protection at its centre. Its measures will include, as the Deputy rightly says, controls on advertising, promotions and sponsorship. The Government delegated powers to the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, under the Gaming and Lotteries Acts. He has asked the Department to examine whether there are particular issues that...

Leaders' Questions (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: We are not intending to do that, which is the first thing I want to say. Obviously, the Finance Bill is before the House at present. I know Deputy Donnelly has been in consultation with the Department on a number of the issues he has raised here in recent weeks, including section 110 and other issues. Committee Stage of the Finance Bill 2016 will be taken in the House shortly, with Second...

Leaders' Questions (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I take the Deputy's point in regard to policy but we do need supply drivers. As I said, we were in a situation where there was no office space available. We have seen a huge improvement in terms of the commercial property that is now being built and is absolutely essential. This measure is one of the drivers to increase supply. It is a policy issue, which no doubt will be raised on...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Business Committee decided that there would be discussions and statements on this topic next week, with a view to discussing the possibility of an all-party motion the following week. Like Deputy McDonald, I am appalled at the scenes from Calais. From our own point of view in terms of our commitment to refugees, a further 40 Syrian refugees will be arriving in Dublin Airport today. We...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: No one wants to see the restoration of pay more than the Government. That is why we are managing the economy as we are and ensuring that we have a process in place to ensure that we move towards full pay restoration. That is the goal. I have already laid out this morning the way in which we intend to achieve that. We have been through a difficult time in this country and public sector...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will certainly do that. We launched the Abhaile scheme just a couple of weeks ago. It makes provision for supports for people in that situation by ensuring that a voucher scheme is available so that there is no barrier to them accessing solicitors' advice or financial advice. A number of changes are also envisaged in relation to the courts and I can revert to the Deputy on that.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I ask the Deputy to send me details on that and I will ensure the Minister responds to her.

Local Government (Amendment)(Directly Elected Mayor of Dublin) Bill 2016: First Stage (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: No.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Levels (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that the investigation of crimes is a matter for by An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in relation to the conduct of particular Garda investigations. However, I will of course bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Garda authorities. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Programme for Government the Government is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (27 Oct 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Private Security Industry Regulation (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together. The matter to which the Deputy refers relates to the execution of a repossession order. As the Deputy is aware, I have no role in relation to executing court orders. The courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. It is therefore not open to me to comment or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales Legislation (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I had intended that the statutory provisions relating to the sale of alcohol on Good Friday, which have historical origins, would be examined in the context of the forthcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill which will update the law relating to the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in licensed premises by repealing the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2011, and the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government recognises that community policing is the embodiment of An Garda Síochána, providing a means of recognising that every community, both urban and rural, has its own concerns and expectations. It commits the Government to ensuring visible, effective and responsive policing in every community, including the most...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Director of Public Prosecutions is independent in the performance of her functions and does not come within the remit of my Department. My Department has not examined any process whereby the courts would have an appellate function in relation to the decisions of the Director of Public Prosecutions and there is no provision in the Government's Legislative Programme for any amendment of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (27 Oct 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Legal Services Regulatory Authority, which was established earlier this month under S.I. No. 507 of 2016, will be making the reports referred to by the Deputy on the regulation, monitoring, operation and impact of multi-disciplinary practices in the State. The timing and submission procedures for these reports are clearly defined under section 119 of the Legal Services Regulation Act...