Results 401-420 of 10,013 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Safety (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: 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: International Protection (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Department regularly receives offers of international protection accommodation from providers around the country. An offer of accommodation at the location provided was recently appraised, but following the appraisal process, the offer is no longer under consideration. All offers of international protection accommodation are reviewed by the Department under a standardised appraisal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business by law, including Garda discipline. Currently there are 94 members of An Garda Siochana suspended. The table below has been provided to me by the Garda Authorities and outlines the number of Gardaí currently on suspension and the length of the suspension as of 6 June 2025. Year...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust, and rules based. Concerted efforts are made to make International Protection applicants aware of the option for Voluntary Return at various stages of the International Protection process. A person can only avail of Voluntary Return before a deportation order is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO) was established in 2017 under the EU's enhanced cooperation measure to investigate and prosecute crimes against the financial interest of the European Union. These crimes are as set out in Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In October last year, Government approval was given to draft a general scheme of a Bill to significantly reform the Coroner Service, to establish a national coroner service with a view to increasing efficiencies and to minimise the impact of the death investigation process on bereaved people. Department officials are currently engaged in the process of developing Heads of Bill, with the aim...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for tabling this question. Where a person has been convicted the court is required to impose a sentence which is proportionate not only to the crime, but to the individual offender, identifying where on the sentencing range the particular case should lie and then applying any mitigating factors which may be present. In doing so the courts are, subject only to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that Israeli citizens are not visa required for Ireland, therefore, they do not need to apply to the Immigration Service of my Department for a visa prior to travel. When any non-EEA national presents at a border, an Immigration Officer must determine whether that person should be granted leave to land and gain entry to the State. In performing their duties, an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department has worked closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance. Any person wishing to travel to Ireland can do so through a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1001 and 1002 together. Tackling drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities, is a top priority for the Government and my Department. The scourge of drugs affects all areas of Ireland, rural and urban and a number of key actions have been taken as part of our plan...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, including the training of Garda personnel. As Minister, I have no role in the matter. I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 30 April 2025, there were 3,660 vehicles attached to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Investigations (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1004 and 1005 together. I want to assure the Deputy that the Government takes seriously any evidence of hostile state activity, including efforts by other states to exert influence or impede on our national interest. Ireland, like any other democratic state, is not immune from the risk posed by espionage or other activities aimed at compromising the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised that the Garda Commissioner previously authorised a number of CCTV cameras in Killarney in 2017. However, the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau does not currently have an ongoing application for a Community Based CCTV for Killarney. Since 2017 my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 12 April 2025. Supporting documentation was received in the Lisbon Embassy on 13 May 2025 where it awaits examination and processing. It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. Applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: This Government takes any risk to retailers and retail staff very seriously. As Minister, I am acutely aware of the personal and economic impact that retail crime is having on businesses, shop workers, and communities. I recognise that shoplifting and organised retail crime pose a significant threat to the economic welfare of Irish retailers and that retail theft is not a victimless crime. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department's International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) has not received an offer of accommodation at this location and is not currently examining this property for use as international protection accommodation.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: All pyrotechnics in Europe, including fireworks, fall under the EU Pyrotechnic Directive 2013/29/EU. This Directive aims to provide free movement of fireworks throughout the EU and under Article 4 it permits Member States to restrict the availability of Category F2 and Category F3 fireworks to the general public. However, it does not permit Member States to restrict the availability of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, particularly considering the current processing times. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Legal Cases (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Following engagement with legal representatives of the families of the victims of the Stardust fire, the Government last August approved a two-phased approach to redress arrangements. The first phase has prioritised the families of the 48 victims who so tragically died in the fire. It was developed in consultation and agreement with the families' legal representatives. It provided for a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Legal Cases (10 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1013, 1019, 1063 and 1064 together. Following engagement with legal representatives of the families of the victims of the Stardust fire, the Government last August approved a two-phased approach to redress arrangements. In the first phase my Department has prioritised the families of the 48 victims who were unlawfully killed in the fire. It was developed in...