Results 5,121-5,140 of 15,342 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Paragraphs (a) to (f) very specific, and (g) are simply to make provision to allow for "any other matters that the Board thinks fit" in producing the annual report. I cannot imagine that the report would have a reference to hospitals, shops, retail or any other matter that does not involve the role of An Garda Síochána. It is intentionally open in that regard, and it has to be....

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Regarding some of the questions, again, it is stipulated in the Bill as to how the Minister would lay this before the Houses. Section 75 clearly outlines the fact that it will be made online means that is being made available to the public. I have no doubt though that if somebody wanted a hard copy, they could get it printed off in the library. On the overall Bill itself, I think many in...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: It is not provided for in the Bill but if obviously comes under the Irish language Act, which means it could be available in the Irish language.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Paramilitary Groups (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Independent Reporting Commission is the body established under the Fresh Start Agreement 2015 to report on measures aimed at ending paramilitarism. The Commission submitted its first Report to the UK and Irish Governments in 2018 and its sixth and most recent report on 5 December. Both the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I have welcomed the reports of the Commission. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an important independent statutory body established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. I want to emphasise the vital role that GSOC plays in providing the necessary oversight of An Garda Síochána. GSOC is completely independent in its functions, and as Minister I cannot comment on any...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department is committed to ensuring that all applicants who attend a ceremony receive their certificates of naturalisation in a timely manner. At present, certificates are posted to successful applicants after they attend a ceremony and perform their Oath of Allegiance. The majority of these certificates are issued to applicants within six weeks of the ceremony taking place. I can...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the applications referred to were granted on 6 December 2023. Any non EU/EEA nationals who wish to remain for longer than 90 days must register with their local immigration office and apply for further permission to remain before their initial permission to remain expires. Full details of the Registration process can be found at the link below:...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Middle East (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department is acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. The Department of Foreign Affairs provides consular assistance to Irish citizens abroad. Since the start of the current crisis, the Department of Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Missing Persons (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 to 166, inclusive, together. I am deeply conscious of the ongoing distress for the families and friends of persons who go missing. The disappearance of any person is traumatic for their family and friends. My Department is committed to working with all relevant state bodies to help more families find their missing relatives. Last week, my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Irish Prison Service continually monitors the staffing requirements of, and vacancies that arise in, the organisation and recruitment or promotion campaigns are put in place as required. The recruitment of Recruit Prison Officers by the Irish Prison Service has been ongoing since 2017 and has regard to such factors as organisational needs and exit levels, with more than 1,000 Recruit...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and €2.3 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Since my appointment as Minister for Justice I have led a programme of reform which is set out in the Programme for Government and in each annual Justice Plan since my appointment. I have increased investment into An Garda Síochánato the highest ever level. This has allowed for sustained, ongoing investment into Garda Recruitment after the forced closure of the Garda College during...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the recruitment and retention of Garda members. The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. We will continue to provide An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 174 together. The person referred to by the Deputy created an on-line Join Family (Irish national)(de facto partner) Preclearance application on 11 October 2023. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were applied on 6 November 2023 in the Ottawa office. This visa application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 17 November 2023. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: The State has a duty to protect its borders and following examination, ensure that all arriving passengers are entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a letter issued, dated 01 December 2023, granting the person concerned, as an exceptional measure, an extension of their visitor permission on Stamp 3 conditions until 16 March 2024. The person concerned should make arrangements to register this permission with their local registration office as soon as possible, if they have not already done so....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. A person subject to a Deportation Order has no legal basis to remain in the State. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reports (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department's community safety policy is about people being safe and, importantly, feeling safe in their own community. I have provided funding of €7.9 million in 2024 for the creation of a new National Office for Community Safety and to roll out Local Community Safety Partnerships nationwide. The Local Community Safety Partnerships are provided for in Part 3 of the Policing,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I fully agree with the Deputy that gardaí, and community gardaí in particular, are an integral part of the community, whether in a rural or urban setting. People feel safe and secure when they know they can pick up the telephone and contact a community garda. Engagement can take place at public meetings or by directly engaging with the garda on issues arising in the community. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: For the most part, for the community gardaí I have met in the various Dublin stations in recent weeks and months, much of their work was and still is going into schools and engaging with younger people where they can. They are getting back into that now after the Covid period, where it was not happening in the same way. That had a detrimental impact and will continue to have a...