Results 2,081-2,100 of 10,120 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (13 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 from my Department was increased to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible. The Programme for Government commits to recruiting at least 5,000 Gardaí in the coming five years. A new recruitment process commenced this month and will remain open for applications until 27th February. The overall Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that there was an issue with the online application portal of the Immigration Service of my Department. I have been informed that this issue has now been resolved on this application and it has subsequently been processed and approved. I can further advise the Deputy that the Atypical Working Scheme Unit are in ongoing contact with the sponsor involved. As an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 20 January 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 31 January 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy may be aware, the Coroner Service comprises a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. I fully acknowledge the contribution local authorities make, both financial and otherwise, to the provision of the service by coroners in the various county and sub-county districts. Responsibility for the Coroner Service has been a matter for local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, family reunification as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015, allows people granted International Protection to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. An application for family reunification must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission and is...

European Union Regulations: Motion (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirleach Gníomhach.

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...