Results 4,101-4,120 of 45,495 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 30 and 31 together. The Government has noted the report of Judge Gerard Haughton arising from the scoping exercise into the circumstances surrounding the tragic and untimely death of Shane O’Farrell in August 2011. I would like to once again express my sincere condolences and those of the Government to the O’Farrell family on Shane’s...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 35 together. I recently met with the Commissioner to discuss the incidents where tents belonging to refugees in Dublin City Centre were set on fire. I want to be perfectly clear that these scenes are totally unacceptable and will be fully investigated by An Garda Síochána. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Established in 2006, the Garda Reserve represents a real opportunity for anyone wishing to support policing and give something back to their communities. The Reserve reinforces An Garda Síochána's essential community links, and provides capacity to draw on additional resources to assist in policing. I would like to acknowledge the important contribution made by all members of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy notes, the position in regard to applications of this nature is set out in the Policy Document for Non-EEA Family Reunification,which is available on my Department's website. The policy document sets out the rationale for applying resource requirements as part of the overall assessment of whether to approve an application for family reunification. In general terms, the sponsor...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to that. Since 2015, the Government has increased the budget of An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment. The Deputy will appreciate that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is independent in her functions under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended). While the enforcement of road traffic legislation is an operational matter for the Garda authorities, I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are important matters that must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate. We can all agree that any acts of violence and anti-social behaviour are completely unacceptable. I want to make it very...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that a decision of the Workplace Relations Commission to award €30,000 to the individual concerned was appealed by the Irish Prison Service to the Labour Court. I am further advised that on 20th April 2022 the Labour Court set aside the Workplace Relations Commission decision, on that basis, no payment has been made nor is any...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I have requested the information requested from the Garda authorities, however, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is leading a number of important initiatives to ensure we better support all victims of crime. When a victim engages with the justice system, they should know what to expect, be confident they will be treated respectfully and sensitively, know what their legally enforceable rights are and what supports are available at every step in the process. Central to this is 'Supporting a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Irish Prison Service makes every effort to provide reasonable accommodations to people in custody with a range of disabilities. Everyone committed to the care of the Irish Prison Service has both a nursing and medical assessment completed within 2 and 24 hours respectively. These assessments highlight and initiate further services that may be required to safely and appropriately...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am, however, assured that the distribution of resources is kept under continual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As committed to in the Zero Tolerance Strategy, this work is ongoing and officials are continuing their examination of the practical and legal issues involved. Setting up a domestic violence register is something I discussed with Jason Poole, brother of Jennifer Poole who was murdered by her ex-partner, when I met with Jason. Officials in my Department are currently working to prepare policy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reviews (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, an independent study was commissioned by my Department into familicide and domestic homicide reviews. This independent research involved consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, including family members of victims, state agencies and non-governmental organisations, with a view to making recommendations to improve the State's response to familicide and domestic...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The scheme referenced by the Deputy relates to sentencing and alternatives to detention. I’m sure the Deputy will appreciate that judges are independent in the matter of sentencing, as in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the constitution and the law. In accordance with this principle, the court is required to impose a sentence which is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: From the outset I want to make it clear that I am are extremely grateful to all frontline workers for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the important role that they play in our society. It is imperative that frontline workers are able to go about their work safely, and that the law reflects the importance of this. For the most part, the relationship...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: Community safety is not just about the number of Gardaí in communities. Community safety is a whole of Government responsibility and it requires a multi-agency approach. The Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill will place statutory obligations on Departments and other public service bodies to cooperate with each other to improve community safety. It also establishes national...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022, which is currently before the Houses, will create new, aggravated forms of certain existing criminal offences – i.e. hate crimes - where those offences are aggravated by hatred of a protected characteristic. It will also strengthen the law around incitement to violence or hatred...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to building stronger and safer communities and implementing policies designed to create a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, under section 72 of the International Protection Act 2015 the Minister may make an order designating a country as a safe country of origin. In deciding to make such an order, the Minister must be satisfied that, on the basis of the legal situation, the application of the law within a democratic system and the general political circumstances, it can be shown that there...