Results 18,921-18,940 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Law Reform Commission Recommendations (16 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy may be aware, the Law Reform Commission published a report on Jury Service in 2013 which includes an examination of the law concerning how individuals are selected for jury service and follows on from the Law Reform Commission’s 2010 Consultation Paper. The report contains 56 recommendations covering a broad range of issues relating to jury service, including that juries...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Applications (16 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in 14 provincial court offices. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had...

Topical Issue Debate: Surveillance Operations (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me an opportunity to address this matter. While it has been alleged in recent reports that there have been abuses in the interception of communications, it would be quite wrong to suggest it has been established that there has been widespread abuse of the interception system. Of course any abuse would be completely unacceptable. The reports do not...

Topical Issue Debate: Surveillance Operations (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I said, public reporting on this issue has not been specific as to the timeframe for these allegations. I have been advised that in May 2008, in the context of illegal action for personal injuries, certain allegations were brought to the attention of the Department of Justice about abuses in the system. These certain matters and questions related to the early 2000s. These matters were...

Topical Issue Debate: Surveillance Operations (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will conclude by saying that I maintain the long-standing practice of my predecessors not to speak in detail about interceptions. However, I have made it clear previously in this House that I have not used the powers available to me to interfere with the wholly legitimate work of public representatives.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Procedures (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested by the Deputy spans a large period of time and arrangements are in train in my Department to prepare a response. I will revert to the Deputy when the specific information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Procedures (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together. I have requested a Garda report on the matters referred to in the Deputy's questions and will contact the Deputy directly on receipt of a Garda report.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service Staff (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 to 91, inclusive, together. As I previously informed the Deputy I am informed by the Legal Aid Board that three of the board's law centres - Smithfield, Dublin 7; Seville House, Galway; and Popes Quay in Cork - are directly involved in protection cases and a number of additional staff have been assigned to those offices. Another office, the Refugee...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: In respect of my Department, office accommodation at Montague Court is rented under lease agreement where 25 car parking spaces are included, and where the individual cost of car parking is not specified in the lease agreement. All other property and associated parking occupied by my department is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Bodies Expenditure (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and is currently being collated. I will contact the Deputy directly when this is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Code of Ethics (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that neither I nor my Department would be directly involved in arrangements for or the conduct of day-to-day policing activities, including the conduct of intelligence-gathering operations, whether overt or undercover. The policing powers and duties of members of An Garda Síochána are set out in the Garda Síochána Acts 2005-2015, including...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Expenditure (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and, as Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. I am, however, advised by the Garda Authorities that there are currently 13 horses attached to the Garda Mounted Unit, which is staffed by 1 Sergeant, 13...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Data (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested reports from the Courts Service in relation to the matters referred to in the Deputy's question and I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as all of the relevant information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff Recruitment (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department and the Agencies under its remit use the services of the State's independent recruitment office, the Public Appointments Service, to the maximum extent possible. However, in order to deliver the business of the organisation, it is occasionally necessary for my Department and its Agencies to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Consultancy Contracts Data (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The total monetary value of work contracted out to external agencies and consultants from my Department and agencies under my aegis from January 2016 to date is as follows: Services Provided Fees Workplace Investigations € 81,318 Recruitment Services € 84,304 Legal Services € 38,423 Total €204,045 The Deputy may also wish to note that from time to time my...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Members will be interested to learn that this speaking engagement was the international conference for victims run by the victim support organisations across Europe. They wanted me to convey their thanks for the work the committee is doing on this legislation. It is great to see people from all over Europe here discussing the rights of victims, including the victims of crime and terrorism.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As far as I can see, the difference between the two is that amendment No. 27 is a shell, which makes the process of referral mandatory given the various factors involved such as financial obligations and the number of victims who may require such a service. That is the difference between amendment No. 27 and the amendment that was accepted, which outlined the services that may came into play...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am merely pointing out that this is the reason the amendment was ruled out of order.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The EU directive states that we "shall" facilitate and we are very clear that the Bill does this and is in line with the directive. I appreciate that members have discussed the matter and some broader issues arise.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 33:In page 11, to delete lines 30 and 31 and substitute the following:"(a) information relating to any significant developments in the investigation of the alleged offence, including—(i) the arrest of a person, (ii) the charging of a person, (iii) the release on bail of a person and, where a person has entered into a recognisance admitting him or her to bail, any...