Results 3,101-3,120 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The one I would be aware of would be contact with, for example, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, in the normal course of events, whatever would be appropriate there, but no, I am not in possession of-----

Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----information that it has initiated contact other than what would be in the normal course of the work that it would do.

Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for raising those matters. Clearly, the whole international refugee crisis is one of the biggest challenges of our time, with 65 million people on the move across the world and huge numbers having arrived in Europe having crossed the Mediterranean and having used other routes, and it is one of the biggest crises that the EU has faced in terms of its response. ...

Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: If the Deputy is looking for reassurance that absolutely every effort will be made and that there is an absolute agreement that serious engagement will continue from the point of view of the HSE, the Department and the Minister with the INMO, the Deputy has that reassurance. Every effort will be made to come to an agreement on these important issues. When we are focusing on the problems in...

Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We are about to have a debate in the House on the terms of reference of the commission of investigation. When these allegations were brought to my attention, particularly through the protected disclosures, I asked Mr. Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill to conduct an investigation into how these very serious allegations and serious protected disclosures should be dealt with. I received his report...

Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree with Deputy Michael McGrath that the threat of industrial action is not victimless. Undoubtedly, people would suffer if we were at that point. It is certainly something the Government and every Member wants to avoid. We do not want to be in that place. I shared the deep disappointment of both the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, and the Minister for...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation relating to disclosures by members of An Garda Síochána: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Members of this House for agreeing to statements being taken on this important matter in the House today. As the House will be aware I have laid the relevant material before the House to give full effect to the recommendations of Mr Justice O'Neill. However, before moving to seek approval for the relevant motion I believe it is sensible that we discuss these matters here first. I...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation relating to disclosures by members of An Garda Síochána: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Members for their contributions today, which I have noted, on this important matter. Before finalising the terms of reference, I was very keen to hear the views of Members of the Dáil and Seanad. I am open to making improvements that can be agreed to the terms of reference. I have already indicated that I am open to accepting amendments that will clarify the two issues which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commercial Rates (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under Irish law there is a distinct separation of function between the valuation of rateable property and the setting and collection of commercial rates. The amount of rates payable by a ratepayer in any calendar year is a product of the valuation set by the Commissioner of Valuation, multiplied by the Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV) decided annually by the elected members of each local...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff Data (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, drafting legislation is the function of the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC), which is located in the Office of the Attorney General. There are two divisions of my Department, the Civil Law Reform Division and the Criminal Law Reform Division, which are primarily tasked with policy analysis and preparation of legislative proposals and schemes of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned was refused a long-stay visa for study purposes by the Visa Office in Moscow on 11 January, 2017. An appeal against the decision was refused on 31 January, 2017, and the applicant was advised accordingly. While it is open to any visa required national to apply for a visa...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Language Schools (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the specific information sought by the Deputy is not available. The role of INIS must be understood in the broader context of the English language (ELT) sector in Ireland more generally, and my Department's responsibility in relation to the immigration status of non-EEA nationals. The sector, which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Policing (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together. An Garda Síochána engages with many local structures including statutory fora such as Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) and Local Policing Fora established by JPCs as well as more informal community based groups, including Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch groups throughout the country. I can advise the Deputy that my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Convictions Lists (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together. As the Deputy is aware the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistics agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of the official recorded crime statistics. It is unclear if the Deputy's question refers to a specific offence category and, in this regard, I am advised that the CSO are unable to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Brexit Issues (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 to 56, inclusive, together. In relation to Regulation (EU) 2016/399, it is proposed that Article 8(2) of the Schengen Borders Code be amended to introduce systematic checks of European Union citizens at the external borders of the Schengen Area. This proposal constitutes a development of the border provisions of the Schengen acquis in which Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Relations Contracts Data (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that it has not been possible to collate the information required in the time available. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy, who currently has permission to reside in the State until 21 February 2017, is ongoing with a view to establishing whether the conditions for naturalisation, such as good character and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders Re-examination (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, the person concerned was notified by letter that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of them. They were given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders Re-examination (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer the Deputy to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No 64 of Thursday, 2nd February, 2017 and the written Reply to that Question. I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned has not submitted written...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (9 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was refused, for reasons provided to the person concerned, in a letter issued on 1 February 2017 advising of the decision. It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they...