Results 16,981-17,000 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (17 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner 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. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (17 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The primary aim of deployment by An Garda Síochána at Shannon Airport is to protect the safety of passengers and other people working at and using the airport and its environs. It is not to provide protection for one type of aviation or another. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the cost to An Garda Síochána of deployment at Shannon Airport was...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Investigation (18 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that I am very mindful of the serious impact of sexual crimes on victims and their families, particularly where young persons are involved. As I have previously advised the Deputy, I received a series of communications expressing concerns in relation to the case referred to and sought the views of the Garda Commissioner on the issues raised. As the Deputy is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (18 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to was refused by the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi on 8 September, 2016. The decision was communicated to the applicant who was advised that an appeal could be submitted up to two months following the visa refusal. No such appeal was submitted. It is open to the applicant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (18 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner 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. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (18 Jan 2017)

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: Departmental Investigations (18 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that there is one ongoing investigation in my Department. The MacLochlainn Commission of Investigation was established under SI No. 346 of 2014 to conduct a thorough investigation into the fatal shooting of Mr Ronan MacLochlainn by members of An Garda Síochána in May 1998 in Ashford, Co Wicklow. The final agreed reporting date for the Commission was 31 May...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I recognise Deputy Rabbitte's interest in the issue of au pairs who are working with families in this country. As she appreciates, the approach of the Government to child care generally is to extend the schemes that are available, to ensure a far wider number of families benefit from the child care subsidies that are available and to introduce a second ECCE year. There was agreement in the...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We await the Low Pay Commission's review on board and lodgings. I agree with Deputy Rabbitte that it is time to review the rate paid to au pairs. There is no question about that. We await the report to see precisely what the recommendations will be. Extending the availability of affordable, accessible child care remains a priority for the Government. Yesterday, I held a consultation on...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I acknowledge the huge anxiety and distress for the patients concerned. Like the Deputy, I extend my sympathy to the family of the patient who died before the HSE review commenced. The report outlined the look back process and the actions taken by the HSE following identification of the probable missed cancers. The Deputy talks about this being systemic. It is important to note that the...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Neither the Deputy nor I want to undermine confidence in the screening processes we have in place for various illnesses and health issues. Having said that, in October 2014 when the national bowel-screening programme was informed of the two cases, it took action. In November 2014 Wexford General Hospital, BowelScreen and the particular clinician, let us say clinician Y, said no further...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I recognise the points the Deputy has made with regard to the challenges being faced in Clonmel. One of the key targets of the various health initiatives, particularly the €40 million initiative announced by the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, is to reduce delayed discharges nationally from a high of 695 earlier in 2016 to fewer than 500. The HSE has exceeded this target. It is...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Howlin, who quoted Tom Johnson, and I recognise the anniversary today to which he referred. The Deputy spoke about people benefiting from the fruits of society. That is precisely the approach the Government took in the budget. We passed a prudent budget. The ESRI recognised that those earning the least benefited the most. There are now 2 million people at work and it is...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is well aware of the challenges this country faced and he was instrumental in ensuring we moved forward on the right path to ensure the economic recovery. The last report from the commission made several points on concerns about remaining competitive, the fragile recovery and the impact on Border areas and SMEs. The commission has commenced work on its third report regarding the...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: This issue was the subject of a Topical Issue debate in this Chamber earlier this week. The reply that was given on that occasion, like the reply that was given to Deputy Shortall's parliamentary question, outlined the approach that is being taken in this regard. Both replies made it clear that further legal advice is being taken on this issue, that the court statements and judgments have...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: County registrars are officers of the court and independent in the exercise of their functions and duties under statute and the rules of court. It is important to point out the following. As a matter of law, they may only make an order for the possession of any land in cases where no defence to an action for possession has been delivered by the defendant or no appearance has been entered by...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Let me finish. Therefore, the power of a county registrar to make orders for possession is extremely limited.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Where any defence is raised by a defendant, including any defence in relation to the nature or terms of the mortgage contract between the borrower and lender, the matter must, when it is in order for hearing, be transferred by the county registrar to the judge's list at the first opportunity. The courts are independent, which is an important point to make. Following the transfer, it will be...

Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I ask the relevant Minister, Deputy Michael Creed, to reply.

Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand that the Minister is dealing with a Topical Issue matter later which will address these issues. For 2017, the Minister, Deputy Ross, has secured an 11% increase in Exchequer funding for PSO services generally. That means that Bus Éireann's PSO funding will likely increase in 2017.