Results 21-40 of 10,013 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (26 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 29 November 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Bangkok office on 14 December 2023. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 09 January 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. My Departments business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (26 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: By law, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business. This includes all decisions related to the upgrade of the Garda Estate. Works on the Estate are undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in cooperation with the Garda Authorities. This includes planning and completion matters. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (26 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. Returning people who do not have permission to remain in Ireland is undertaken through voluntary returns and deportation. Both types of returns are essential for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (26 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that implementing effective border security arrangements is a central priority for me. The Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security, ensuring technology supports border screening and to reviewing the potential of extending pre-clearance mechanisms, such as electronic travel authorisation, for travel...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (26 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me as Minister for Justice that our immigrations laws are robust and enforced. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be done through convergence in asylum practises across the EU. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (26 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: An Garda Síochána publishes data on the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank, including for each Garda station in the country. This can be found at the following link: The Deputy can access data dealing with the “Allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station (2015 to 6 June 2025)” under "Probationer Gardaí" for a breakdown...

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves that sections 2 to 4, 6 to 12, 14 and 17 of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 (No. 39 of 1998) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on 30th June, 2025 and ending on 29th June, 2026. The two motions seek the approval of the Dáil to continue in force provisions in the Offences Against the State (Amendment)...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist seo atá tábhachtach do mhuintir Chiarraí. I will try to find out what the issue is with that. I do not have the information in respect to it. There certainly should be a playground in west Kerry. I am surprised that there is not. I would have thought there should be one around Dingle. I will raise it with the relevant...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for identifying that the 50th anniversary of the Dundalk bombing is coming up. Regrettably, nobody has been brought to justice for those murders. Technically, it is an ongoing Garda investigation but the reality is that we are going to have to try to get some mechanism to deal with this and others as legacy issues. There are ongoing discussions between the Irish...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: That is an upsetting account that the Deputy has had to give about a constituent who has been paying their private healthcare for years and was then told that pembro is not covered. The Health Insurance Act regulations require insurers to require a minimum level of cover to every insured person. Beyond that, in terms of what specific issues are covered or not, that is set out in the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for raising that. I will speak to the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, who is responsible for special education needs. I am concerned to hear that Marino special school has not had that review yet. It needs to be given some certainty in terms of where we are now with the new year starting up. I will...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy. I agree with her there are more gardaí on the streets of Dublin city centre and it has had a very positive impact. It is not the intention and I hope it is not the effect that gardaí are taken from different areas. I do not think that is the case. The Commissioner has made a decision that a significant number of new recruits coming out will be put in Dublin...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for raising that issue. I agree school secretaries and caretakers play an absolutely essential and invaluable role in schools. Many of us know schools that simply could not operate without the school secretary or indeed the caretaker. I note the assimilation of school secretaries to a payroll administered by the Department has provided significant benefits where pay and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy Gogarty. It is correct to point out that when most people access the courts it is probably through the family court system. Most people stay away from the courts and it is only because of circumstances that force them before them because of family law issues that they have to engage with the courts. I have received a report on the in camera rule. I do not think we will be...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for raising that issue. I do not have exact detail in respect of the funding for Kildare County Council at present. I will raise it with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Browne. The Deputy correctly identifies that the population of Kildare is increasing very significantly. Obviously there are significant pressures to ensure public services are available. I will go...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Minister, Deputy Foley, brought that report to Cabinet yesterday. It is important to note the report also acknowledges the positive and open engagement with Department officials over the past year. Officials in her Department have prepared an initial response to the recommendations alongside a commitment to continue engaging positively with the special advocate in relation to the issues...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree with the Deputy. What is happening in Gaza is reprehensible and shocking. A concern the Government and I have is that because attention is now focused on Israel's war with Iran, it is off Gaza. We cannot allow that to happen. In fairness, no government in Europe has done more than the Irish Government in seeking to advance the protection and cause of the Palestinian people in...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Garda Tom Flavin was acquitted of all charges against him. It must have been a significant strain on him and his family. It took seven years, which is far too long for a criminal prosecution. Unfortunately, criminal prosecutions can take a lengthy period of time. It is not always the case the delay is a result of the Garda investigation. It goes to the DPP and through the courts, and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: At Cabinet yesterday, the Minister for agriculture, Deputy Heydon, gave a detailed and informative account of bovine TB and his strategy to combat it, approved by Government. It is a serious issue from the point of view of Irish agriculture. If it became prevalent or widespread in Ireland, we would have a significant problem. Having listened to the Minister yesterday, he is on top of the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy Feighan for bringing this issue forward and the presentation from the NWRA. The north-west region has been identified in the programme for Government as an area that needs further investment. I am sure when it comes to the national development plan, each Minister will seek to advance capital projects in the region.