Results 4,561-4,580 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána including HR matters. However, I can assure the Deputy that Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the resources they need to perform their vital role in the community. It is important to emphasise that,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).    The Border Management Unit and the GNIB work closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers possess correct documentation when boarding...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Applications (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy may be aware, the Probate Office is an office of the High Court. Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in its functions. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in 14 provincial court offices, and these office holders are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 89 together. I can assure the Deputy that the Prison Service and I are committed to providing safe and secure custody for all people committed to prison and officials in my Department and in the Irish Prison Service continuously work together to identify short, medium and longer term proposals to help manage capacity issues in our prisons as they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 77 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (18 Apr 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. The Programme for Government commits to ‘recognise the domestic and international importance of data protection in Ireland’ and states that the Government ‘will ensure that Ireland delivers on its responsibilities...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the distribution of Garda personnel and resources between the different Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these operational matters. I can advise the Deputy that the new Garda Operating Model reflects and addresses the challenges of modern policing by enabling specialisation in the delivery of key...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána and for the effective and efficient use of Garda resources, including all Garda stations. In addition, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Works in relation to Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to review and reform defamation laws to ensure a balanced approach to the right to freedom of expression, the right to protection of good name and reputation, and the right of access to justice. On 28 March 2023, Government approved publication of the General Scheme of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill to reform our defamation legislation....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Online Safety (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 was commenced on 10 February 2021. Along with other provisions, it created two new offences of sending, or threatening to send, intimate images without the consent of the person whose image it is. It also broadened the existing offence of harassment and provided for a new offence of sending, distributing or publishing a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 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 responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I can however assure the Deputy that the Government remains...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to create stronger, safer communities. My Department has provided funding for the recruitment of 1,000 new Gardaí this year and we are seeing more Garda recruits enter Templemore approximately every 11 weeks. As the Deputy will be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity, including by organised crime groups, is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and this Government. An Garda Síochána continues to target those involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs through Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) team at Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels currently consists of seven officials from the Department of Justice made up of one Counsellor, four Attachés and two administrative staff. There are currently no vacancies in the JHA team. The role of officials in the JHA team is to offer assistance to Ministers and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Mental Health Services (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, in fulfilment of the Programme for Government commitment, the Final Report and Recommendations of the High Level Task Force to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of those who come into contact with the criminal justice sector was published by Minister McEntee and the Minister for Health in September 2022. The recommendations of the Task Force...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: Ireland has obligations under EU and International Law to consider applications for international protection from those who come to our country fleeing persecution. The International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department is responsible for examining all international protection applications received. The staff of the IPO are independent in the exercise of their international protection...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that the granting of a work permit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) does not result in the automatic granting of a visa by the Department of Justice.  The two processes are distinct application processes with different checks and procedures in place in each respective Department. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 94 together. The Government is committed to creating stronger and safer rural and urban communities and a strengthened Garda Síochána is at the heart of that. My Department is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of over €2 billion....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: Insurance reform is a key priority for this Government and is reflected in the Programme for Government, the Government’s Action Plan for Insurance Reform, and in the Justice Plan 2023. It is intended that a number of sections of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1995 be amended, in line with the Government policy objective of restricting the liability of occupiers. These...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: Spiking a person’s drink is a very serious offences. Section 12 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 provides for a general poisoning offence and already criminalises anyone who spikes a drink. Section 12 of the 1997 Act applies to anyone who intentionally or recklessly administers a substance which is capable of interfering substantially with another...