Results 2,121-2,140 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Policing Plans (4 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for operational matters such as the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. The issue of pre-consultation in relation to the restructuring of road traffic policing and the creation of a new Roads Policing Unit does not therefore arise. Garda management keeps...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Training (4 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the information requested by the Deputy and I will contact the Deputy directly upon receipt of a Garda report.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (4 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy and I will contact the Deputy directly upon receipt of a Garda report.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Correspondence (4 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can confirm that I have received correspondence from the person referred to. My Department is examining it to see what actions should be considered. I hope to be in a position to respond soon to the individual concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Compensation (4 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can confirm to the Deputy that two applications for compensation under the Garda Síochána (Compensation) Acts 1941 and 1945, were made by the person concerned. On 3rd October 2008 and 15th November 2012, authorisations were granted to the claimant on both applications to proceed to the High Court for compensation, in accordance with the Acts.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Controls (4 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Information supplied by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) in relation to queue times for arriving passengers at Dublin Airport shows that over 90% of all travellers are processed through immigration control in a matter of minutes with the figures being even higher for passengers of EU nationalities. This is in the context of passenger numbers at Dublin Airport reaching record levels last...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commencement of Legislation (4 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, which provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties, is being commenced on a phased basis. A number of provisions of the Act were commenced in October 2016 in order to progress the setting up of the Decision Support Service. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (Commencement...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (4 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is a statutorily independent body operating under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach. The Deputy will appreciate that as I have no Ministerial responsibility in relation to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions it is not possible for me to provide the information sought.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (4 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015 provide for the valuation of all commercial and industrial property for rating purposes. The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the performance of his functions under the Acts and the making of valuations for rating is his sole responsibility. I, as Minister for Justice and Equality, have no role in decisions in this regard. Under Irish law there is...

Other Questions: Garda Stations (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Clearly this is a decision that will be made by An Garda Síochána. I have no doubt that the needs of a whole variety of areas will have to be taken into account, but equally when the Inspectorate is looking at what areas ought to have resources, they will be taking into account precisely the points the Deputy has made. They will be taking account of the changing environment in...

Other Questions: Garda Recruitment (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will circulate the details to the Deputy on the numbers in the Cork west division. In 2014, the personnel strength was 271, in 2015, it was 276, in 2016, it was 281 and it is now 282. Five of the newly-attested gardaí were stationed in that area in 2015. I made the point earlier to one of the Deputy's colleagues that as recruitment continues and as we have more newly-attested...

Other Questions: Garda Recruitment (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The years during which Templemore was closed as a result of the economic situation had a very serious impact right around the country. The Deputy quoted the figures for her own area. Closing Templemore had a huge impact because recruitment was stopped. If recruitment is stopped, we do not have the people to station in areas like the Deputy's. We had to deal with that situation when we...

Other Questions: Garda Recruitment (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I take the Deputy's point. Decisions were taken on the best way to provide policing in this country and stations were closed. However, the key point is that it was the Deputy's party which presided over the economic recession that led to the decision to close Templemore. That is the reality of the situation. Fianna Fáil closed Templemore and I opened it. The Government is investing....

Other Questions: Garda Stations (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to her, including in relation to Garda stations. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána district and station rationalisation programme, which we have just been discussing, gave rise to the closure in 2012 and 2013 of 139 Garda...

Other Questions: Underage Drinking (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The antisocial behaviour we can see on streets and in estates and communities is very upsetting for local residents. The Deputy made that point very clearly. It is a very important part of local policing. There are now some new initiatives in the parks. The police are working where young people are gathering and getting to know them, and they are interrupting anti-social behaviour. We...

Other Questions: Stardust Fire (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Judge McCartan began his work on Monday, 27 March, and it is hoped that he can conclude his assessment process within the 90-day period. The Government agreed on 7 March to appoint Judge McCartan to assess any new and updated evidence uncovered by the Stardust Relatives and Victims Committee in order to recommend whether there should another commission of investigation into the Stardust...

Other Questions: Stardust Fire (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have set up this part of the work very much based on what was discussed in the context of the Dáil motion. What is important now is that Judge McCartan has offices, support and an e-mail address. I have made it very clear about the evidence the committee may have, the fact it can get representation and that we would hope to deal with the historical issue. Judge McCartan will now...

Other Questions: Stardust Fire (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Let us be very clear. The Government agreed to appoint Judge McCartan to assess new and updated evidence uncovered by the Stardust Relatives and Victims Committee in order to recommend whether there should be a commission of investigation into the Stardust tragedy of 1981. It will be done completely independently of Government. Obviously, the work that was done in the Dáil and the...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: 5 o’clock As the Deputy will be aware all gardaí have a responsibility in the prevention and detection of criminal activity whether it be in the area of drug offences or otherwise. I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to pro-actively and resolutely tackle all forms of drug crime in this jurisdiction. In 2015 the Garda Commissioner, who is...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (30 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Whether we are talking about the work of the armed response unit in Dublin or the work of the Criminal Assets Bureau, all of this is targeted at getting intelligence on and interrupting the work of criminal gangs, many of which are involved in the exploitation of people through trafficking, as well as in drugs criminality. All of the efforts of the broader work of An Garda Síochána...