Results 2,021-2,040 of 10,053 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

European Union Regulations: Motion (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputies for their contributions, which I listened to carefully, and for their best wishes on this, the first day on which I am dealing with a debate in the House as Minister for Justice. I also wish Deputy Carthy well in his position as Opposition spokesperson on justice and, indeed, Deputy Kelly. I do not have all the answers in respect of justice issues and I do not think the...

European Union Regulations: Motion (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Thank you,

European Union Regulations: Motion (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following...

Programme for Government: Statements (Resumed) (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Seo hé mo chéad díospóireacht mar Aire agus ar dtús ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Taoiseach agus a rá gur onóir an-mhór í a bheith mar Aire dlí agus cirt. Is post an-tábhachtach é a bhfuil freagrachtaí tromchúiseacha air. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall a chinntiú go bhfuil an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The review of the Policy Document for Non-EEA Family Reunification, which was last amended in 2016, is examining a wide range of matters relating to applications for family reunification, including the nature and suitability of current income thresholds and waiting periods. My Department has consulted with a wide variety of stakeholders and the expectation is that the review will be brought...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Artificial Intelligence (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that Protocol 21 does not arise in respect of the EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689). Protocol 21 only applies in instances where the legal basis for a new legislative measure is drawn from Title V of Part 3 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. This is not the legal basis for the EU AI Act. The information referred to in the details supplied...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have made tackling domestic violence a central priority for my Department. There is a significant amount of legislation on the statute books which might assist in dealing with the situation to which the Deputy refers. Section 32(2) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 provides that while the exercise of a person’s right to occupy a place is suspended by virtue of a barring order,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Temporary Protection Directive has been extended until March 2026 at a meeting of the European Council in June 2024, thereby providing certainty for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who can continue to avail of the protections that the Directive provides during this time. Consideration as to the arrangements to be put in place following the expiry of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Climate Action Plan (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy may be aware, under Circular 01/2020 issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, my Department is required to record the carbon emissions associated with all official flights made within a calendar year, and to pay a corresponding amount into the Climate Action Fund, based on the prevailing rate of carbon tax (€48.50 per tonne in 2023). ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is important to emphasise that the conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. The courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, including sentencing. The Judicial Council Act 2019 established an independent Judicial Council, and, within that body, a Sentencing Guidelines and Information...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 223 together. At the outset I'm sure the Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational policing matters. As Minister I have no role in these matters and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such. I can assure...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy may be aware that, last September, the Government increased the age of retirement from 60 to 62. This means that Gardaí who wish to work on to 62 may do so. Government took this decision on foot of a request from the Garda Commissioner and the Garda representative associations. This increase in the mandatory retirement age reflects the reality that people can and want to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Establishing a zero tolerance approach to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is vital for safeguarding individuals and promoting a safer society. In 2022, the five-year Zero Tolerance DSGBV Strategy was published and in January 2024, Cuan, the DSGBV Agency, was established to drive the Strategy forward. Under Budget 2025, DSGBV funding was increased to €70m. As...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Staff (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that Adrian O'Higgins has been appointed as my policy adviser, at Principal Officer (PPC) grade.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 saw unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 222 together. As the Deputy may be aware, there has been much work done to date to enhance the prison infrastructure, provide additional capacity, and explore alternatives to prison. The Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, commits to continued action in this area, including the construction of a prison at Thornton Hall....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: While our bail laws provide for the refusal of bail in particular circumstances, the presiding judge is entirely independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, and the decision to grant bail in a particular case is solely a matter for the judge. However, in considering a bail application in accordance with the Bail Act 1997, as amended, the Court is required to have regard to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: 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). The Commissioner is also responsible for the Garda Reserve under the Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations 2024. As Minister, I have no role in the recruitment or training process for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), for the management and administration of Garda business. This includes all operational policing matters. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions. Currently the Proof of Concept (POC) phase for Body Worn Cameras is ongoing in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: An Garda Síochána needs modern tools and equipment to protect people from harm and save lives. This includes the rollout of bodycams to help protect frontline Gardaí and to allow them to investigate crime as effectively as possible. The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 was enacted in December 2023 and provides a legal basis for the deployment and use...