Results 181-200 of 9,695 for speaker:Helen McEntee in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Agreements (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 523 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Victorian-era laws that were repealed by the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 caused immeasurable harm to generations of gay and bisexual men, criminalising and stigmatizing them simply because of their sexual orientation. I am deeply conscious that people who were criminalised by these laws, and their families, are hopeful that a disregard scheme can be put in place in the near...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised that my Department's IIP Unit has recently corresponded with all stakeholders involved in this case, including the named organisation. As the Deputy is aware, I do not comment on individual IIP applications. However, I can assure the Deputy the IIP Unit is committed to ensuring that all applications will be examined on their own merits and will endeavour to conclude all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 504, 505 and 507 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual cases. There are two distinct scenarios that can apply in International Child Abduction cases. The first is where a child or children have been removed from this jurisdiction to a country that is a cooperating partner under the 1980 Hague...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, I announced the Ballymun Implementation Board, with former Dublin GAA CEO John Costello as Chair, in February. As has already been announced, the Board will be hosted by Dublin City Council, and will include local representatives from the relevant agencies. A list of these agencies was published as part of the announcement of the Board on the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact her when this is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Prison Service must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts. As such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time. As of, 01 July 2024, there are 5,029 in custody across the prison estate or 112% of the overall capacity. The Deputy may wish to know, that detailed daily...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Irish Prison Service provides a health care service for people with addictions in a structured, safe and professional way in line with international best practice. The Irish Prison Service continues to be committed to, and involved with, the National Drugs Strategy in partnership with community colleagues and organisations. It is the policy of the Prison Service that, where a person...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: The importance of education, training and awareness raising is a central element of delivering on our zero tolerance ambition and something that is reflected in the third national strategy on DSGBV. While the provision of training for Judges is a matter for the Judiciary, the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2023 now requires the Judicial Appointments Commission to consider what...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Artificial Intelligence (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department does not use ChatGPT or other generative AI tools for drafting Dáil speeches, or answering Parliamentary Questions.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Equipment (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that staff in my Department are required to report lost or stolen mobile phones and laptops. In line with best practice and guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) on mobile device management for public sector bodies and mobile device security, all Department issued devices are encrypted, are managed by a mobile device management solution and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that the Government is determined to tackle anti-social behaviour and its causes. A number of priority actions are contained in the Programme for Government to reduce instances of such behaviour and help people to be safe and feel safe in their local communities. We are committed to tackling the scourge of anti-social behaviour and crime to build safer streets and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together. Under the International Protection Act the Minister for Justice may make an order designating a country as a safe country of origin. A country may only be designated as a safe country of origin where satisfied it can be shown that there: • is generally and consistently no persecution; • no torture or inhuman or degrading...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). This includes all operational decisions related to the Garda Estate. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. Additionally, the Garda Estate is managed by the Office of Public Works...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: Under the International Protection Act the Minister for Justice may make an order designating a country as a safe country of origin. A country may only be designated as a safe country of origin where satisfied it can be shown that there: • is generally and consistently no persecution; • no torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and • no...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: International standards in respect of anti-money laundering are set and monitored by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). FATF is an inter-governmental body with 40 members, including Ireland, and a large number of observers and associate members. Over 200 countries commit to implementing their standards. EU standards generally reflect those of FATF and are currently set out in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 520 and 521 together. Protecting and supporting victims of sexual violence is an absolute priority for me and my Department and I am keenly aware of the devastating physical and emotional consequences such crimes can have on victims. I am advised that the issue of the disclosure of counselling records is a complex and highly sensitive balancing of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Agreements (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government is firmly committed to ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023, which is currently before the Houses, will remove the final obstacles to ratification of the Protocol. The Bill will deal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Moscow on 05 April 2023. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 30 May 2023. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (9 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.