Results 2,681-2,700 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (28 Feb 2017)

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

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (28 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources within the organisation, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Commissioner that the allocation of resources is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (28 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that the response to burglary or other forms of crime in a local area is an operational matter for an Garda Síochána, and I have no direct role in this regard. I am assured that Garda resources are deployed to respond to crime trends and policing needs at local level. To be of assistance, I have brought the Deputy's concerns in relation to the Donaghmede...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Tribunals of Inquiry Data (28 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of Tribunals established under the aegis of my Department is provided in the table following. It is not feasible to provide information relating to tribunals from earlier eras due to the time elapsed. Name of Tribunal Year established Number of Days Tribunal Sat Gross Cost of Tribunal Tribunal of Inquiry into whether Irish officials...

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Second Stage of that Bill is being taken next week. I know the Deputy has a very keen interest in it. It is a very important Bill to encourage mediation rather than get involved in adversarial court cases.

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, legislation on drugs is being taken in the Dáil today. The Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, is working on a new national drugs strategy that will ensure the kinds of treatment raised by the Deputy are available. There is also increased investment to ensure people can access treatment. I agree it is essential that people can access rehabilitation...

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is a commitment to developing a regional headquarters in Sligo and that project will proceed. The matter is a priority for the Government. The use of information technology, IT, in the Garda Síochána is also a priority. In fact, this week I had a meeting with the relevant stakeholders to review progress in respect of the various systems in place and to ensure that we can...

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Ó Cuív could equally have referenced the 15 Bills published by my Department and progressed last year or the ten that have been published since this Government was formed. Clearly, there have to be priorities. We are moving forward on an extraordinary range of legislation from the Department of Justice and Equality. That is evidenced by the three new Bills that will be...

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: They are all being worked on. To give a fair and comprehensive overview of the work of the Department, Deputy Ó Cuív could equally have quoted the 25 Bills that have been progressed.

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, to link with Deputy Doherty directly on that particular issue.

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, made an announcement recently about our commitment to the roll-out of broadband, as outlined by Deputy Dooley, and has made it clear that we are committed to that roll-out in the near future.

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister for Health is committed to delivering that. Initiatives are being taken as well to ensure that under PRSI more people will be eligible for dental benefit. There is the policy from the Department of Health on which the Minister, Deputy Harris, is working and which will be delivered, and there is also the commitment from the Department of Social Protection to ensure that there...

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware of the plan announced by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Minister of State for regional economic development, Deputy Ring. A series of initiatives were outlined to help the rural economy. The evidence from the jobs figures produced this week shows that notwithstanding the challenges outlined by Deputy Eugene Murphy,...

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy has raised a key issue, which the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been addressing. The Department recently received a report from Professor Alan Reilly with a range of recommendations about how this issue should be addressed. The report examined the oversight and co-ordination of the laboratory activities, the reorganisation of the structures and functions...

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand it will go to pre-legislative scrutiny. In the meantime, the Minister for Health has been developing a scheme for compassionate access for certain groups of people, such as those with multiple sclerosis and epilepsy or those suffering some of the complications from chemotherapy. The Minister will progress that over the next few weeks.

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is important that the situation of victims is recognised. We will discuss the victims' legislation in the Dáil next week. This is important legislation that will bring us in line with the EU directive in order that the last point mentioned by the Deputy is dealt with. The Law Reform Commission also suggested that judges should be in a position to decide on a minimum term, although...

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is a priority for this session.

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: To confirm, Mr. Justice Peter Charleton has begun the work of the tribunal already. In regard to the 2005 legislation, I am examining whether I can go forward with elements of that Bill that would be helpful in terms of the tribunal's work and the question the Deputy raised.

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Pre-legislative scrutiny of that Bill is being taken on 2 March.

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, will take that question.