Results 5,021-5,040 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Reports (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The only piece of research on murder-suicide cases shows there have been 19 such incidents in the period from 2000 to 2013. According to CSO figures, during that period there were 6,033 deaths recorded as suicide. In response to the point Deputy Coppinger made about communicating with the wider public, we have just launched a €6 million investment programme over six years, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Reports (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following the launch of the Women's Aid report, I attended a meeting between the Courts Service and Women's Aid, which I organised in order to discuss the range of issues raised in the report about the state of the family court services and the need to improve them but, equally, there were other issues. Some of the issues Deputy Coppinger raised will be addressed in the sexual offences Bill,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I do not agree with the Deputy's analysis of GSOC. The GSOC report from 2015 indicated that it had received full responses to 93.6% of requests within the time limit of 30 days, with only 6.4% unfulfilled at 30 days. That represents a significant improvement in compliance with the protocols over 2013 and 2014. The average time taken to receive a compliant response was 22 days in 2015....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Investigations (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The annual report from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission for last year demonstrates very clearly that 96% of all requests made to the Garda for information from GSOC were given to it within the 30-day period. There was a small percentage where there was a longer timeframe but we have established protocols and there has been an improved relationship between GSOC and the Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Investigations (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: With regard to the timeframe, the Department received an update from GSOC in July 2016. In that latest update, GSOC stated that the investigation was at an advanced stage and arrangements were being put in place to meet with some gardaí who have yet to be interviewed. I very much hope, as Deputy O'Callaghan does, that this work can be concluded very soon. I have met the family, who...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are very severe penalties in place for firearm offences under the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2009. A person possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life is liable to a minimum of ten years imprisonment and up to a maximum of life imprisonment and a fine at the discretion of the court. The court has some discretion in applying these minimum sentences in the case of a first offence,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The House might be interested to know that a High Court judgment of 9 May 2016, with which I am sure the Deputy is familiar, upheld the constitutionality of the mandatory minimum sentence provisions for repeat firearm offences. Mr. Justice Twomey adjudicated it is within the rights of the Oireachtas to make such provisions, having regard to public safety and the protection of citizens. He...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Investigations (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The background to the two cases referred to in the Deputy's question are truly tragic and both are deserving of our sympathy and understanding. It is worth pointing out that both cases were considered under the independent review mechanism established recently to review certain allegations of Garda misconduct or inadequacies, if any, in the investigation of certain allegations. A panel...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The "Programme for a Partnership Government" includes a commitment to double the Garda Reserve to act in a supportive role undertaking local patrols and crime reduction measures. Reserve members have undergone training in many of the skills required to be an effective full-time member of An Garda Síochána and it is important that we build on the very real contribution that they are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The "Programme for a Partnership Government" includes a commitment to double the Garda Reserve to act in a supportive role undertaking local patrols and crime reduction measures. Reserve members have undergone training in many of the skills required to be an effective full-time member of An Garda Síochána and it is important that we build on the very real contribution that they are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The "Programme for a Partnership Government" includes a commitment to double the Garda Reserve to act in a supportive role undertaking local patrols and crime reduction measures. Reserve members have undergone training in many of the skills required to be an effective full-time member of An Garda Síochána and it is important that we build on the very real contribution that they are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UK Referendum on EU Membership (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Firstly let me say that this Government is committed to minimising any adverse impacts on our economy and on the free movement of people, goods and services on these islands as a result of the UK's EU referendum. Clearly the result of the referendum in the UK was not the one that we had hoped for, but we will now work with both our UK and our EU partners to ensure that the outcome of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including Community Gardaí and Garda Reserves, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts, and I as Minister have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UK Referendum on EU Membership (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Firstly let me say that this Government is committed to minimising any adverse impacts on our economy and on the free movement of people, goods and services on these islands as a result of the UK's EU referendum. Clearly the result of the referendum in the UK was not the one that we had hoped for, but we will now work with both our UK and our EU partners to ensure that the outcome of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Official Engagements (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that I attended the UN Summit both in my capacity as Tánaiste and because I have Ministerial responsibility for the areas in question. The outcome of the Summit and the commitments entered into are set out in a comprehensive outcomes document which can be found on the UN website. The commitments entered into particularly focus on the most vulnerable. They...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As previously stated, there are severe penalties in place for firearm offences under the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2009. A person possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life is liable to a minimum of 10 years imprisonment and up to a maximum of life imprisonment and a fine at the discretion of the Court. The Court has some discretion in applying these minimum sentences in the case of a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The "Programme for a Partnership Government" includes a commitment to double the Garda Reserve to act in a supportive role undertaking local patrols and crime reduction measures. Reserve members have undergone training in many of the skills required to be an effective full-time member of An Garda Síochána and it is important that we build on the very real contribution that they are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Policing (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including Community Gardaí, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gangland Crime (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that targeting organised crime activity and those involved is an ongoing priority for the Government and An Garda Síochána. An Garda Síochána is tackling such activity through a range of targeted measures designed to disrupt and dismantle the operations of criminal organisations. This involves targeting serious criminals and organised...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that on 31 August 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of An Garda Síochána was 12,871 members compared to a peak of 14,547 members in December 2009. The table attached sets out the strength of the An Garda Síochána over the past fifteen years. This Government is committed to ensuring...