Results 4,341-4,360 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that there are seven overseas visa offices that process appeals for visa applications. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. Appeals are also processed in the Dublin Visa Office of my Department. All appeals are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. The processing time at each office is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is independent in the performance of its functions. Under the same act, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including all matters relating to discipline. As Minister I have no direct role in these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy, and will contact her again when this is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The State is required to examine the application of anyone who presents at the borders of the State, or is in the State, and indicates that they wish to make an application for international protection. This is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law and the Government takes those commitments very seriously. My Department is taking all necessary steps to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Travel Documents (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The State is required to examine the application of anyone who presents at the borders of the State, or is in the State, and indicates that they wish to make an application for international protection. This is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law and the Government takes those commitments very seriously. My Department takes all necessary steps to manage...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is very conscious of the commitment to deliver effective data protection regulation and protection of the data privacy rights of EU citizens, which is critical to the development and growth of our digital economy. My Department’s role is to ensure that the Data Protection Commission, which is independent in its functions, continues to have the resources required to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ukraine War (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that Temporary Protection in Ireland applies to the following groups of people who have had to flee Ukraine due to the invasion by Russia: 1. Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022; 2. Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or a stateless person who would have benefited from international protection (for example:...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Appointments to State Boards (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) is a statutory body, first established in 1923 pursuant to the Censorship of Films Act 1923, as amended, which has responsibility for the classification of film and video works. I wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Film Classification Office does not have a board. The Censorship of Films Act, 1923, as amended, provides for the appointment of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Appointments to State Boards (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that on March 6, 2023, Dr. Ciarán Kissane was appointed as the new Director of Film Classification in the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO). Dr. Kissane’s appointment followed an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service. Dr Kissane replaces Mr George Sinclair who was appointed in an acting capacity as Director of IFCO...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation, including all human resource matters and recruitment. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. To be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 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 for the recruitment, training and allocation of Garda members and staff to a given unit. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. The below table indicates the number of civilian WTE...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (9 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Protection (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is firmly committed to ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, several legislative measures have been implemented which were necessary to ensure that Ireland is in compliance with the obligations of the Optional Protocol. Enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Insurance Industry (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 445 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the Government is committed to facilitating easier, speedier access to justice for businesses and individuals, and part of this involves addressing the issue of costs associated with accessing the legal system. The Report of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice (known as the Peter...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that the primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by the National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate the importance of this task and the need for it to be carried out thoroughly and correctly. Vetting is carried out by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: The courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid in criminal cases. The Department of Justice administers the Scheme and is responsible for making payments under the Scheme. The issue of Criminal Legal Aid fees is, I understand, being considered by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, as the Department with responsibility for any...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 449 to 452, inclusive, together. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 May 2023)

Simon Harris: I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.