Results 15,921-15,940 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald
- Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Let us be clear: if 12,800 gardaí go on strike, there is no contingency plan that can replace that number. We are talking about essential services, keeping our airports and ports open, commerce continuing and responses being made to serious and urgent 999 calls and emergency situations.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Labour Court is independent and has made it clear that it cannot make a decision on the claim today and that it needs more time. That is the very reason the associations should not go ahead with their planned action tomorrow. Contingency planning is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the first instance. The Government and I have been involved in discussions with the Garda...
- Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: It is not tolerable that in Ireland today families and children are living in emergency accommodation. That is why dealing with the housing supply issue and the homelessness facing families is a priority for this Government. That is why we are doubling the resources allocated to deal with this issue next year. These statistics refer to a period just two months before the action plan...
- Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I remind the House that there has been a public consultation phase regarding the rental sector. That began on 24 October. It focuses on four key areas: bringing greater tenure in rent certainty to landlords and tenants, maintaining existing levels of rental stock and encouraging investment in additional supply, improving the quality and management of rental accommodation and broadening and...
- Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The whole question of the standards of care in institutional settings in Ireland historically has been an absolute disgrace and a lot of action has been taken to change that situation in terms of being more child focused, in terms of our new protection standards, in terms of the role of HIQA, the Children First guidelines and establishing an agency with particular responsibility for children...
- Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I am assured by the Minister and by the HSE that the HSE has not waited for this report to improve any deficiencies identified in child care and disability services and to act on their recommendations. To repeat the point, HIQA now inspects all residential services for disabilities in line with national standards. A national safeguarding committee has been established, which is...
- Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputy. Gardaí, like so many others in this country, suffered hugely during the period of economic difficulty. There is no question about that. Recruitment and investment were stopped. There was no investment in the resources they needed. There was no investment in IT or Garda vehicles and there was no recruitment. That has had an impact. What this Government, the last...
- Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: With regard to repeat offenders, I have already brought forward much stronger legislation to provide that those who are involved in serial and repeat burglaries will serve consecutive sentences. I expect that will be, and is being, implemented by the courts. That legislation was passed quickly by the House and received all-party support. I thank Members for that. The bail Bill which will...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I expect to publish the heads of the Bill to provide for establishing a new judicial appointments commission this term. Then it will have to proceed to pre-legislative scrutiny and be passed by the House, so it will depend on the arrangements that are made in that regard. Our preference is to make any further judicial appointments when that legislation is in place, but clearly the...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: There is no vacancy in the Court of Appeal. The previous Government established the court and it is doing an outstanding job under its President, Mr. Justice Sean Ryan. It is getting on with its work, as is the Supreme Court. I have made it clear that it is priority legislation which the Attorney General and my Department are working on. We expect to have the heads of Bill in the near...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The matter will have to be debated in the House and there will be a vote. It is for the Business Committee to decide when the debate will be taken.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: It is priority legislation and will be published this term.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I will ask the Minister to speak to the Deputy directly about it.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: It is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide precisely how she uses the resources available to her. Road safety is a very high priority for the Garda Commissioner and members of the Garda Síochána and everything is being done. I note what the Deputy said about the recent increase in deaths, particularly in deaths of pedestrians and motorcyclists. We must do...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I am not sure what promised legislation the Deputy is speaking to. He spoke on the budget. The mental health budget has increased this year and as the Deputy knows, there is additional funding. That is clear from those who examined the overall funding. It is focused both on providing improved community care and mental health teams with increasing numbers. There are recruitment...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The heads of that Bill will be published this term.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister will be dealing with the social welfare Bill in this House shortly. More than €300 million was committed in the budget to improvements in social welfare and we have seen the first increases since 2009. It is a mark of the commitment.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I will bring what the Deputy has said on waiting times to the attention of the relevant Minister. There is a strong commitment in the programme for Government, delivered on in the budget, to improve the financial situation of those receiving social welfare payments.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Heritage Bill is due for Second Stage in the Dáil soon. I am sure the Deputy will have a chance to raise those concerns with the relevant Minister during that debate.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton, has taken responsibility for this Bill. He has been meeting stakeholders and is keen to progress it. He is considering the best way to do that, as well as whether some sections should be taken out as they may require more immediate action rather than being included in the complete Bill. I will ask the Minister of State to communicate with Deputy...