Results 18,981-19,000 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

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

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes. Deputy O'Brien is right. We have to review the functioning of the Bill and report to the Oireachtas 12 months after its enactment. I have no problem with the amendment but it is not necessary.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: It would be a significant decision to create another position of ombudsman for victims. We are at a critical point in this country, and in Europe, on victims' rights and we are at a turning point with the implementation of the victims' directive. I will examine the proposal but it would require a Government decision because it would involve significant resources. It will be on the agenda...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: That is a fair suggestion. I appreciate it.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 154:In page 5, line 8, after “amend” to insert “the Criminal Procedure Act 1967,”. This amendment amends the Long Title of the Bill to include a reference to the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act 1967. The Act of 1967 is amended by section 25 of this Bill but the reference in the long title was omitted in error. I thank members for...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a visa application was made in October 2016 which was refused. While it was open to appeal that decision within two months, no such appeal was made. It remains open to the persons named to make a fresh visa application. The INIS website (www.inis.gov.ie) contains comprehensive guidelines to assist...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff Recruitment (18 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, I approved a proposal to fill the County Registrar vacancy in County Westmeath and a recruitment competition is currently being conducted by the Public Appointments Service. The competition, which I understand will be completed shortly, will identify persons for recommendation to Government for appointment to the position of County Registrar for Meath/Westmeath.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (18 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 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: Coroners Service (18 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can confirm to the Deputy that I intend to introduce legislation regarding maternal deaths and related matters to ensure that such deaths are subject to a coroner's inquest. That work, to which I have assigned priority, will be undertaken in consultation with the relevant stakeholders and I would acknowledge in particular the Coroners Amendment Bill 2015, a Private Member's Bill tabled by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda College (18 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As you will be aware I have indicated my concern at the findings of the Interim Internal Audit Report in relation to the financial procedures in the Garda College Templemore. As you will also be aware, the Public Accounts Committee is examining the Garda Commissioner in relation to the Interim Audit Report and intends to resume that examination in the coming weeks, and will report...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cyber Security Policy (18 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 45 and 46 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources within the organisation, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Commissioner that the allocation of resources is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (18 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. I am assured by the 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: Garda College (18 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 43 together. My Department received a copy of the draft Interim Internal Audit Report regarding the finances at the Garda College at Templemore from An Garda Síochána's Head of the Internal Audit on 16 September 2016. I understand that the draft report was sent to all interested parties for their observations before being finalised. A...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda College (18 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware I have indicated publicly my concern at the findings of the Interim Internal Audit Report in relation to the finances of the Garda College Templemore. As the Deputy will also be aware, the Public Accounts Committee is examining the Garda Commissioner in relation to the Interim Audit Report and intends to resume that examination in the coming weeks, and will report...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Incidence (18 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistics agency, is responsible for the publication of the official Recorded Crime Statistics. These figures are published on a quarterly basis, but domestic violence incidents are not currently recorded as a separate category within the classification system used for this purpose. As the Deputy is aware, there are already a number...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reports (18 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As set out in my reply to the Deputy on 04 May 2017, my Department is in contact with the Garda authorities in relation to this matter and a full report is awaited. I will communicate further with the Deputy when this report is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda College (18 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department received a copy of the draft Interim Internal Audit Report regarding the finances at the Garda College at Templemore from An Garda Síochána's Head of the Internal Audit on 16 September 2016. I understand that the draft report was sent to all interested parties for their observations before being finalised. A copy of the final Report was received by my Department from...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Surveillance Operations (18 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 51 and 52 together. It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose details of any authorisations to intercept, including their number. The Deputy will appreciate that this the long-standing practice, which has been followed by my predecessors, and it has been adopted for sound security reasons. Furthermore,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (18 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, made in August 2009, following a comprehensive and thorough examination of their asylum claim and a detailed examination of the representations they submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (18 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 28 April 2017. This Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Queries...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (18 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 28 April 2017. This Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Queries...