Results 2,141-2,160 of 15,060 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I thank Members for their contributions and, for the most part, broad support for the proposed changes. I thank them for their assistance in bringing it forward. I will touch on the Bill itself and then, if the Chair allows some latitude, I will respond to other issues raised. The Bill is clear; we need to make sure there is equity. Nobody is disputing the fact that murder is the most...

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: Absolutely, but mandatory sentencing for murder is being disapplied in this case and that means we are reverting back to common law. If the two are separated, there is no sentence for a child who commits murder. I commit to engaging with my team on that to get clarity before speaking on it tomorrow. More broadly, the best thing we can do for young people is to make sure they get the...

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: That is not true.

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: They do. I do not think copies have to be circulated but I can see if-----

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: We will ask for that. A child convicted of murder may receive a life sentence, whereas a child convicted of murder who has turned 18 must receive a life sentence. The practical effect of the High Court decision is that it will now be difficult to proceed with prosecutions in these types of cases, given the lack of clarity on what sentence can be imposed if the person is found guilty. ...

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am sorry.

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Although short in length, the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024 is very significant legislation. It addresses important constitutional infirmities in law that were recently identified by the High Court. The High Court ruled that a person who commits murder as a child but turns 18 years of age before he or she is sentenced cannot be...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have consistently engaged with the Garda Commissioner and colleagues on what more can be done to support An Garda Síochána in its work and efforts to combat and deal with what have become more violent and more challenging protests. No stone should be left unturned. Certainly, while every individual has the democratic right to protest peacefully, there is no reason people should...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I share the Deputy's frustration and his ambition to right many of the wrongs inflicted on many people over the years. I thank the individuals and various groups and organisations which came together to make the recommendations and ensure we could right those wrongs. The work in ongoing and I hope to progress it as soon as possible but I do not have a definitive date for it yet.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child and Family Agency (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Child Maintenance Review Group was established in 2020 by the Minister for Social Protection to consider and make recommendations in relation to the establishment of a State Child Maintenance Agency, among other things. Its report was published in November 2022 and on foot of the report it was decided by Government that a State Child Maintenance Agency should not be established. It was...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 301, 312 and 313 together. The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee is €175. A certification fee of €950 is then required following a positive decision being reached on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably, this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy directly when it is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Further detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation is available on my Department's Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to is the subject of Deportation Order. A Deportation Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. The enforcement of Deportation Orders is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Representations were received on their behalf requesting that the deportation order be revoked, pursuant to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned. These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended)...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the persons referred to were granted Temporary Protection on 05 April 2022. I can advise that EU Council Implementing Decision 2022/382 applied the provisions of the Temporary Protection Directive to persons displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including persons recognised as refugees in Ukraine. In June 2024, the Council of the European Union extended...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: 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. I have significantly increased investment into the international protection system, which has allowed for a major increase in processing capacity and the introduction of accelerated processing. Last July, I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, funding for An Garda Síochána is provided through Vote 20, the Garda Vote and is not accounted under my Department's Vote. The Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and is accountable for the economy and the efficiency of An Garda Síochána in using its resources....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (24 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department’s Blended Working (BW) Policy was introduced in August 2022 following extensive consultation with staff and management and was developed in line with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. This policy has recently been reviewed and updated, again in consultation with...