Results 3,281-3,300 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: A report yesterday and several other reports have indicated that one in four women in this country is a victim of domestic violence. Therefore, the suggestion that women are at risk from other people coming into this country is pretty hard to take or listen to. There are challenges no matter where you are and no matter who you are, particularly for women. Senators need to reflect on the...

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: We also must acknowledge that we need a system for those who seek international protection that has a structure that is firm and fair to those who genuinely need protection and help. We want to provide that help. We cannot provide it to everybody. Globally, there are millions of people on the move. We want to play our part and we will play our part but we must have a structure and a plan....

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: That is what Sinn Féin is suggesting.

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: It will only opt in-----

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: -----to Eurodac and to a returns mechanism.

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: With the returns mechanism, we need to make sure that if a person already has asylum in another member state, that member state takes responsibility and we can adequately return the person, which we cannot do at the moment. Dublin III does not work. We know it does not work. We need to improve the system. If we do not opt into this, Dublin III will not exist and we will have no mechanism...

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am not trying to be patronising. What I am saying is we have a solution here and I have yet to hear from the floor if there are other ways in which people have presented them. I have yet to hear on the floor today or last night solutions as to how we deal with this. We have seen other countries that have decided not to go with Europe and decided to go it alone. That has not reduced the...

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: Denmark is not comparable because we have opted in in different ways. We voted for this. On this idea around our sovereignty, we voted for the Lisbon treaty. We said very clearly that we would pool our sovereignty when it comes to issues around security and migration.

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: That is what people voted for and that is exactly what we are discussing now.

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: On our sovereignty, and it keeps being raised that we are handing away our sovereignty and we need to have a referendum, people very clearly voted when we voted for the Lisbon treaty that, when it comes to migration and security issues, we would have the option to opt in. This is not being forced on us. We have the option to opt in. That is what was voted for. The only measure we have to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 81 together. The coroners service comprises of a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. All coronial districts, with the exception of Dublin, are the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority. Coroners are independent office holders whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 84 together. As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda training matters. As Minister, I have no role in this regard. I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that two Steyr rifle...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Probation Service, which is an executive agency of the Department of Justice, plays an important role in the criminal justice system in diverting people, in particular young people, away from criminal behaviour, supervising community sanctions imposed in lieu of a custodial sentence by the courts, as well as supervising people post release. The work they do contributes significantly to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 88 and 89 together. The Probation Service, which is an executive agency of the Department of Justice, has an important role to play in diverting people, in particular young people, away from criminal behaviour, supervising community sanctions imposed in lieu of a custodial sentence by the courts, as well as supervising people post release. The work that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: Community safety is about people being safe and, importantly, feeling safe in their own communities. Our approach to community safety is a whole-of-Government one. We want to bring the relevant social service providers and the Gardaí together with the community in a collaborative manner, by focusing on the concerns identified by the local community itself. The Local Community Safety...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reports (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: The function of Prison Visiting Committees is to visit, at frequent intervals, the prison to which they are appointed and hear any complaints which may be made to them by any person in custody. They report to the Minister for Justice any abuses observed or found by them in the prison and any repairs which they think may be urgently needed. Implementation of the legislative recommendations...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the general management and administration of Garda business. This includes the enforcement of all applicable legislation and the management of the Fixed Charge Notice system. I am advised by the Garda authorities that in 2023, a total of 442 Fixed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: This year I have provided a budget allocation of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána. This is a 25% increase on 2020 and will allow for the sustained recruitment of Garda recruits in 2024. I have taken a number of measures to support increased recruitment into the Gardaí. This includes a 66% increase in the training allowance and increasing the age of entry from 35...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: We have all been shocked by the recent 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. Road safety is a shared responsibility and one which this Government takes very seriously. Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána, as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 1 May 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the New Delhi Visa Office on 8 May 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While...