Results 2,961-2,980 of 16,227 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (16 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: One of the overarching goals of Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on DSGBV, which I published in June 2022, is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one and under the strategy we have committed to doubling the number of refuge units across the country. This represents the fastest ever expansion of refuge accommodation in this country. To accelerate the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Trafficking (16 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 to 182, inclusive, together. The prevention, detection and prosecution of the abhorrent crime of human trafficking is a priority for me as Minister for Justice and for this Government. A number of significant measures have been taken to combat human trafficking, to create a more victim-centred approach to identifying and supporting victims, and to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (16 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) remains an absolute priority for this Government, for me as Minister for Justice and for the Garda Commissioner. 'Zero Tolerance,' the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), sets out an ambitious, whole-of-government, five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (16 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (16 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, nor can I direct the Commissioner with regard to them. I am committed to building stronger,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (16 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Eradicating organised crime is central to building safer, stronger communities. I am absolutely committed to that goal, and strengthening and expanding CAB is an important element of this. It is essential to deprive criminals of the proceeds of crime and 2023 was a record year for the Criminal Assets Bureau in this regard. As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Missing Persons (16 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: At the outset, I would like to acknowledge the pain and trauma experienced by all families of missing persons. I am deeply conscious of how difficult life is for loved ones who simply don't know what has happened to their relative. My Department is committed to working with all relevant state bodies to help more families find their missing relatives. As the Deputy will be aware, by law the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (16 Oct 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. I have implemented measures to improve efficiencies and throughput while also enhancing the application, interview, and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Functions (16 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland recommended that certain administrative immigration functions should transfer from An Garda Síochána to the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of my Department. These included the registration and renewal of immigration permissions as well as functions at Dublin Airport. Earlier this week I announced that all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Investigation (16 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, commissions of investigation are carried out pursuant to the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. That Act provides for a Commission to be established by Government Order. Before making the Order, a draft must be laid before each House and a resolution approving the draft passed by both Houses. The following table sets out the information requested by the...

Child Protection: Statements (15 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Sexual exploitation of children is one of the most grotesque and serious crimes that exist. It is a crime which causes misery in the lives of children and families. We all must do everything in our power to stamp it out. This is a growing problem, with abusers continuing to abuse positions of power and making greater use of technology and online spaces to hide and commit their crimes. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (15 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Bankruptcy Register is held by the Examiner’s Office, an office of the High Court. The Examiner’s Office carries out the administrative functions necessary to enable Bankruptcy applications to be listed before the Court and to carry out certain functions and administrative tasks on foot of Orders made by the Court thereafter. Pursuant to Court Orders and Rules, a manual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Accidents (15 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Road safety is a shared responsibility, which An Garda Síochána, my Department and the Government as a whole all take very seriously. After a shocking and tragic first quarter of the year, the Garda Commissioner has responded effectively and directed that all uniformed Gardaí are to undertake 30 minute of high visibility roads policing in each tour of duty. This increase in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Road safety is a shared responsibility, and while the whole of Government response is led by the Department of Transport, it is one which is taken very seriously across Government. We have all been shocked by the loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities after many years of progress in making our roads safer. I continue to engage with colleagues...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (15 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 431 together. I can advise the Deputy that all Certificates of Naturalisation for the attendees of the recent citizenship ceremonies held last month are currently in the process of being printed and will be issued via registered post. I am aware that following some previous ceremonies there were delays in certificates being received and this is very...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (15 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department does not comment on operational procedures regarding the removal of persons from the State. However, I can inform the Deputy that my Department is not aware of any instance where officials working in the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) have been involved in warning residents of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National Security (15 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate for sound reasons of national security it would not be appropriate for me to detail the operational measures that are taken to protect the security of ministerial offices. I can assure the Deputy that the Government affords the highest priority to matters of national security and that all necessary and appropriate measures are taken with the support of An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National Security (15 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As Minister for Justice it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any particular allegation of this nature. Ireland, like any other democratic state, is not immune from the risk posed by hostile state activity including efforts by such states to exert influence. Our security services are very alive to that risk and keep their response under continuous review in light of ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Protection (15 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department is happy to engage with Tusla and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on the findings of the report but to date, we have not been contacted about this study.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: European Union (15 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, a Letter of Formal Notice was received by the Department of Justice on 4 October 2024, setting out the European Commission’s view that Ireland has not fully transposed Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA of 28 November 2008 on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia. My Department is presently considering the contents of the letter in...