Results 18,261-18,280 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The position is as set out in my answer to the Deputy's last Parliamentary Question in relation to this tragic case. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) are investigating certain matters which have arisen as a result of the case. This action was taken by my predecessor who referred certain aspects of this particular case to GSOC for investigation. The question of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The position in relation to current restrictions has been kept under review by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department. Ultimately, an appropriate balance must be struck between State security and individual applicants who wish to come here. I have asked my officials to look again at the restrictions in place to consider if there may be some scope to extend the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Issues (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I retain confidence in the Garda Commissioner.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Social Behaviour (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that, while I have no direct role in Garda strategies to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on public transport services in Dublin, 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 authorities, as is the question on ongoing engagement and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: To date, over €25 million has been paid out to 669 women under the Ex Gratia Magdalene Restorative Justice Scheme administered by my Department. The Scheme remains open to new applications but it’s important to note that decisions have been made on all but two of the 821 applications received to date – the two refer to applications made only in recent weeks. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (30 Mar 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. 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 trends,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Levels (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the recent report commissioned by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) and the recent commentary in the media on foot of its publication. I note that the ICSA report is part one in a series of three reports into agricultural crime in Ireland and I look forward to considering the other reports when published. I also want to assure the Deputy that I am very...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Provision (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that it...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: At the outset, I wish once again to extend my sympathy to the families of the two people who killed in the atrocity that was carried out in Belturbet in December 1972. Like so many other callous and unjustified acts of wanton violence that took place during the troubles, the bombing at Belturbet robbed two young people of their lives and inflicted untold suffering on their families. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to her, including in relation to Garda stations. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána District and Station Rationalisation Programme gave rise to the closure of some 139 Garda stations, including Tarmonbarry Garda station, in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Support Services (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The principal provisions of the International Protection Act 2015 were commenced on 31 December 2016 and as a result, applications for asylum, subsidiary protection and permission to remain in the State are now being examined under the Single Application Procedure, replacing the previous sequential application system and bringing Ireland into line with the processing arrangements applicable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences Data (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 33 for answer on Thursday, 16 February, 2017, in which you requested the number of prosecutions in 2016 and to date in 2017 per district court for disqualified drivers driving while disqualified; the number of disqualified drivers prosecuted for failing to submit a licence under section 29(16) and (17) of the Road Traffic Act 2010. As you will recall,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to her, including in relation to Garda stations. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána District and Station Rationalisation Programme gave rise to the closure in 2012 and 2013 of some 139 Garda stations following the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The International Protection Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016. The new single application procedure under the Act, will, in time, significantly accelerate the protection determination process and by extension will reduce the length of time which applicants spend in State provided accommodation. The new system will ensure that all aspects of a person's claim (Asylum, Subsidiary...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware the Domestic Violence Bill 2017 was published on 3 February and is currently proceeding through the Houses, with a view to enactment as soon as possible this year. The Domestic Violence Bill will particularly improve the protections available to victims of domestic abuse, most critically for cohabitants and parents in crisis situations, by introducing a new...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to made a fresh visa application in the last few weeks to the Irish Embassy in Cairo stating that he is resident in Egypt but has not as yet submitted any supporting documentation. The Deputy can be assured that the application will be considered when the documentation is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Issues (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am satisfied with the Garda Commissioner's ability to lead An Garda Síochána in the very important work they do. As the Deputy will appreciate, the distribution of resources, including personnel, is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am informed by the Commissioner that appropriate arrangements have been put in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commercial Rates (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 70 together. The Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015 provide for the valuation of all commercial and industrial property for rating purposes. The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the performance of his functions under the Acts and the making of valuations for rating is his sole responsibility. I, as Minister for Justice and Equality, have no...