Results 1-20 of 9,106 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank all Deputies for their contributions. There is general agreement in the House that outdoor seating is a good development from the point of view of the hospitality sector and the people who go to pubs and restaurants and like to sit outside. It is also fairly clear that there is broad recognition, including from myself, that the process by which we renew this for six months needs to...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: They are outside.

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I did not guarantee it.

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Yes.

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves that the period of operation of sections 1 to 7 and 9 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (No. 14 of 2021) be extended for a period of 6 months, beginning on the 1st day of June, 2025 and ending on the 30th day of November, 2025. Five years ago, we were all caught up in the events that arose from Covid. It had a remarkable...

Seanad: EU Regulations: Motion (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The reason I am here is to seek approval from Seanad Éireann to allow Ireland to opt in to a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2015/848 on insolvency proceedings to replace its Annexes A and B. I have a detailed speech, but I will give a succinct overview of what is involved to save Senators from having to listen to me for...

Seanad: EU Regulations: Motion (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí agus aontaím leo. I thank all the Senators who have contributed. I note what Senators Kelleher and Gallagher had to say in respect of the issue of insolvency. I agree it is really important that we have harmonisation across the EU when it comes to insolvency proceedings. If we are going to be able to do business with other...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate complete information as requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A response will be provided directly to you in the coming days.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me as Minister that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. There has been a significantly increased investment into the international protection system, which combined with digitisation and process reengineering has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity. Accelerated processing has also been introduced for certain international protection...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. As part of this, my Department ensures that international protection applications are dealt with fairly and efficiently within the framework of Ireland's international obligations. The International Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport. When a person arrives in Ireland an Immigration Officer will ensure that the individual is legally entitled to enter the State. In performing their duties, an Officer is required to consider all circumstances of the individual at the time of entry. If a person...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is unable to publish any information that would identify any person as being an international protection applicant. This is a separate matter to the law dealing with data protection matters more generally. My officials and I are legally obliged, under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, to ensure that the identity of any person...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Tax Collection (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Over 33,000 international protection applicants are accommodated in over 320 IPAS Accommodation Centres nationwide. IPAS accommodation centres are a mix of State-owned centres, long-term centres and emergency international protection accommodation centres. Due to the significant shortages of available accommodation and increased demand over recent years, the Department's International...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is unable to publish any information that would identify any person as being an international protection applicant. This is a separate matter to the law dealing with data protection matters more generally. My officials and I are legally obliged, under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, to ensure that the identity of any person...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 11 February 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Karachi office on 23 February 2024. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 23 February 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months, however, some...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. In 2024, approximately 201,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 21%,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cybersecurity Policy (8 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that Ireland remains fully committed to ratification of the Council of Europe ‘Budapest’ Convention on Cybercrime. The Convention is divided into three main sections: criminalisation of listed offences; measures for the gathering of evidence in relation to the listed offences and from computer systems generally; and international cooperation. A...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (1 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The number of naturalisation applications received by my Department from US nationals in 2023 was 613, and in 2024 it was 783; statistics for 2025 are not yet available. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Applicants are required to have 5 years...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Thank you for your question, Deputy. A response will be provided directly to you in the coming days.