Results 18,701-18,720 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Refurbishment (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters. I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and resources, including decisions in relation to Garda stations and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters. 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: Citizenship Applications (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the persons concerned. These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 to 122, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, allegations regarding an undercover police officer in this jurisdiction were first made public in 2011. A report was sought from the Garda Commissioner on the matter at that time and that report was provided to my predecessor in March 2011. The Commissioner's report noted that no evidence had...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 to 133, inclusive, together. The Questions which the Deputy has asked relate very largely to operational policing matters. The policing powers and duties of members of An Garda Síochána are set out in the Garda Síochána Acts 2005-2015, including that the direction and control of An Garda Síochána are matters for the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (3 May 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 the 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 Recruitment (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 and the recruitment and training of An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I as Minister have no direct role in the matter. Recruitment competitions for full time members of An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Operations (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that from an examination of records in my Department and Agencies under the remit of my Department's Vote there is no record of any payments to the named individual.

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The points made by the Deputy are well understood and being acted on by the Government in all the work it is doing in preparation for Brexit. Everyone has to agree that it is a testament to those efforts that our priorities are so clearly reflected in the European Union's approach and have been stated in the guidelines. Our priorities have been highlighted in all of our discussions and in...

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Detailed discussions with all relevant stakeholders are being and have been held over a long period. We have held all-island conferences with the various stakeholders and businesses, North and South, east and west. The Deputy has asked what the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is doing to deal with agrifood issues. In the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, there...

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are working with these companies, examining the issues. There is a Brexit response committee comprising different departmental divisions. As recently as 11 April, there was a meeting with all the stakeholders in the agricultural area. Close consultation with Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Enterprise Ireland is ongoing. Additional resources have been...

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I do not agree with the Deputy's comments on the Government’s approach to this issue. I was proud to be a member of the Government which dealt with the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act. The issues addressed in that Act had not been on the floor of this House, or had not been dealt with, until the previous Government decided to deal with them, as had been recommended by the...

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is in Irish women's interests that we move forward with this issue and consider the legislative approach we want to take. We have a bad history when it comes to women's reproductive rights. Quite clearly, we are at a point where further and detailed discussion is needed. As I said, no country in the world finds it easy to decide on the exact parameters around this issue or how it should...

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy states, the Government and my party have emphasised the importance of higher education and it is a central part of the Government's plan to support a strong economy and deliver a fair society. The package of measures announced for the sector in the budget reflects this priority, which will help all students. To recap, we are providing an initial investment of €36.5...

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have no doubt these issues will be considered very carefully so there will be an equitable approach and we can ensure all our community can benefit from higher education. I will point out a couple of facts about the equity issue. Over 3,000 students from disadvantaged groups will benefit from the additional package of €8.5 million to support more disadvantaged students, including...

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We proactively committed to taking in 4,000 refugees under the relocation and resettlement programmes. Most countries in Europe agreed to accept certain numbers based on criteria that were established by the European Union, but we proactively agreed to do it. Since then, huge resources have been put in place to ensure that we will meet our commitment. Refugees are arriving almost every...

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have accelerated the intake from Lebanon under the resettlement programme and more than 1,000 people will have arrived here from the refugee camps by the end of the year. We took 520 extra. Due to the slowdown on the other area of relocation we took more people from the refugee camps to increase the numbers. We continue to be flexible in terms of trying to respond to the need that...

Questions on Promised Legislation (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, has been addressing this issue with the Deputy. I will ask the Minister to communicate further with the Deputy on the current plans.

Questions on Promised Legislation (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The matter was dealt with in a Topical Issue matter yesterday and the Taoiseach addressed it fully earlier this week. A GSOC investigation is underway in regard to the issues the Deputy raised and a comprehensive Garda investigation is also taking place. Both of those should be allowed to take their course and we should get the facts before further action is taken.

Questions on Promised Legislation (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy knows, it is the practice that countries do not disclose their votes at the United Nations. That is the approach which-----