Results 4,361-4,380 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Eligibility (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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. Section 15 of the Act provides that the Minister may, in her absolute discretion, grant an application...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, the Legal Aid Board provides civil legal aid and advice to people who cannot afford to pay for a solicitor from their own resources. Applicants for civil legal aid and advice are required to meet the financial eligibility criteria under section 29 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2016. The vast majority of applicants...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Charities Regulation (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Charities Regulatory Authority ('Charities Regulator') has commissioned an external review to examine the resources and structure required to fully implement the provisions of the Charities Act 2009. Its primary goal is to assess the resources and appropriate structure to implement the Authority's statutory remit and achieve its strategic objectives. I am advised that the process began...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have updated the Deputy as to the current position concerning prosecutions under section 22 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 2 November 2016. Insofar as the wording of the relevant summonses is concerned, An Garda Síochána is engaging with the prosecution authorities in relation to these issues, which I understand are complex ones,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: On 27th September, the Law Reform Commission published its report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety.The report recommends two new offences to deal with posting online intimate images without consent (so- called “revenge pornography”) and voyeurism.It also proposes reform of the existing offence of harassment, to ensure that it includes online activity such as posting...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Defence Forces Deployment (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: While there would be no question of the Defence Forces carrying out normal policing duties, the Defence Forces are always available as an aid to the civil power and, of course, in contingency planning discussions that role was envisaged to continue should a withdrawal of labour by members of An Garda Síochána have taken place.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Labour Court Recommendations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, following intensive negotiations between the Government, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) and Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission, the Labour Court issued a recommendation on 3 November last in relation to the dispute. In the case of individual members, the recommendation for the GRA...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Plans (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Commissioner sets out the proposed arrangements for policing services each year through the Annual Policing Plan. Section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, provides that when developing the annual plan the Garda Commissioner must have regard to the policing priorities determined for the year in question. The priorities are those set by the Policing Authority...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that in relation to the situation outlined by the Deputy, immigration controls, including visa requirements, for other jurisdictions is not a matter over which my Department has any input or control. As the Deputy will appreciate, the starting point for any immigration scheme based in domestic law is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the drafting of the Judicial Council Bill which will establish a Judicial Council in order to provide an effective mechanism for dealing with complaints against judges is currently at an advanced stage. There is one aspect of the work of the Judicial Conduct Committee which will be established by virtue of the Judicial Council Bill which may be relevant to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Pay (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that all judicial travel and subsistence expenses are subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Pay (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that all travel and subsistence expenditure, including judicial travel and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to was received by the Irish Visa Office in New Delhi on the 26th of February, 2016. In accordance with the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification, published by this Department in December 2013, the Visa Office has a business target of 6 months for applications...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that there are currently 5 judicial vacancies in the Courts, as follows: Court Number of vacancies Supreme Court 1 Court of Appeal 0 High Court 0 Circuit Court 3 District Court 1 In respect of existing and future vacancies in the Courts, the requirements of the administration of justice will be the overriding priority for the Government over the period...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Insurance Costs (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 contains provisions aimed at tackling fraudulent personal injury claims. Section 25 of the Act provides that it is an offence for a person to give or adduce evidence in a personal injuries action that is false or misleading and that the person knows to be false or misleading, or to cause false or misleading evidence to be given or adduced with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in a number of provincial court offices. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC), the independent agency responsible for assessing take charge applications from other Member States, that where a request to take charge of an asylum application for family reasons is received, proof of that familial relationship is required. Often supporting documentary proof is not available, is incomplete or is not...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Inspectorate Reports (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Inspectorate report 'Changing Policing in Ireland' which was published last December is a comprehensive report into all aspects of the administration of An Garda Síochána. In July the Government approved my proposals for a Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána which combines the Government’s response to the report of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Administration (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: A Criminal Procedure Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The primary aim of the Bill is to reduce delays and increase efficiency and fairness in the criminal trial process. The Bill will in particular provide for new Preliminary Trial Hearings to allow for procedural arguments which arise during trials at present to be dealt with before a jury is...