Results 17,081-17,100 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Establishment of Commission of Investigation into the Stardust Tragedy: Motion [Private Members] (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “misgivings around previous investigations” and substitute the following:“- there has been important work conducted by individual researchers on a voluntary basis over many years into the causes of the tragedy; and - the Programme for a Partnership Government specifically states that 'full regard will be had to any new...

Establishment of Commission of Investigation into the Stardust Tragedy: Motion [Private Members] (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is what we are doing.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government has been proactively engaged with the French authorities in identifying young people previously living in the camp in Calais who may wish to come to Ireland. Following the approval by Government of the appropriate legal mechanism and the identification of considerable resources needed, officials from my Department, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Tusla, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda National Immigration Bureau (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that the issues raised are a matter for the Garda authorities in the first instance and I have no direct role. However, to be of assistance I have made enquiries and I am informed by the Garda authorities that in November 2015, Gardaí attached to the Garda National Immigration Bureau executed a search warrant during which a number of items including...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residential Institutions (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Registration (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) was formally established on 3 April 2012, pursuant to the Property Services (Regulation) Act, 2011. The Residential Property Price Register, available at www.propertypriceregister.ie, is produced by the PSRA in accordance with the provisions of Section 86 of the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011. The purpose of the Register is to bring...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I am deeply conscious of the serious issue of road safety and mindful of the increase in 2016 of road traffic fatalities. I am also mindful of the traumatic impact of road traffic collisions on those directly affected and their families, as well as the impact of dangerous driving more generally on the quality of life of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Co-operation (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The position in respect of this matter remains unchanged and is as set out in my reply to the Deputy's Question No. 150 of 17 January 2017. As I informed the Deputy then, the establishment of the Pitchford Inquiry into undercover policing is a matter for the UK Government and the question of my seeking to have its terms of reference extended does not arise. I would, however, reiterate the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Social Behaviour (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: While I am in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner about all aspects of policing and community safety, the specific deployment of policing resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, as is the question on ongoing engagement with public transport operators in relation to the security and safety of the travelling public. Insofar as the general approach to tackling these issues...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have recently set out the current position in relation to the coming into operation of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority in my Written Reply to Question No. 164 of 17 January 2017 which I shall, therefore, largely reiterate on this occasion. The setting-up of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority has in fact been under way since 19 July 2016 when, under S.I. No. 383 of 2016, I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Administration (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that Digital...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Refurbishment (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, 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. As Minister, I have no direct role in relation to these matters. I am however, advised by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2016: Minister for Justice and Equality (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Cathaoirleach, Deputy Ó Caoláin, and the members of the committee for the early scheduling of this meeting following my referral last month of the general scheme of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2016 for pre-legislative scrutiny. The Private Members' Bill in the name of Deputy O'Callaghan, which also proposes reforms in the area of judicial appointments, is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2016: Minister for Justice and Equality (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank all Deputies for their contributions and some interesting relevant points have been made. I begin by absolutely rejecting the characterisation by Deputy O'Callaghan of the approach I have taken as being disrespectful of the Judiciary. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have huge respect for the Judiciary in this country and if he had listened to my opening remarks this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2016: Minister for Justice and Equality (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I reject what Deputy O'Callaghan has said in regard to the Government approach to the Judiciary. I share the same goal as him, but to arrive at the best system I have looked at what is happening internationally and I have laid these on the table. There is a legitimate approach in the scheme that is before us. There are some key questions that need ongoing consideration but one cannot...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (26 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: A non-national person arriving by air or sea is required to present to an Immigration Officer for permission to enter and be in the State. Permission is granted on the basis of the person's purpose of stay in the State. In the case of a person who is visiting this may be for a maximum period of 90 days. However, the duration of the permission granted is determined by the Immigration Officer...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (26 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is under consideration and has not yet reached a conclusion. As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (26 Jan 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Garda authorities that an in-depth examination of Garda files and records has been put in train with a view to establishing what information was known by An Garda Síochána in the 1970’s and any relevant actions that may have been taken in relation to the matters referred to. This work is being carried out under the auspices of Garda Special Crime...