Results 5,161-5,180 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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

Helen McEntee: This section is specific to whom the Garda Commissioner must engage with if the resources available to his or her for the period of a particular plan are to be exceeded. As I mentioned, we are ensuring the Commissioner must engage with the Minister and the board, which will now have responsibility for oversight where resources have been exceeded or will potentially be exceeded. The...

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

Helen McEntee: The term “as soon as practicable” is standard language. If we do not set a timeline, the Commissioner might be able to inform the board and the Minister even sooner. This term allows the Commissioner to inform us as soon as possible. Regarding financial accountability, sections 72 and 73 deal with the Commissioner appearing before Oireachtas committees to respond.

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

Helen McEntee: For clarity, I am quite happy to sit until midnight or whenever Members deem suitable this evening-----

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

Helen McEntee: -----or I am happy to come back tomorrow.

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

Helen McEntee: I am happy to come back after Private Members' business. The first question was on the timeline of the plan. It would normally be for three to five years. It is clearly stated at the beginning of the section that that is to be specified by the Minister. It is a three-to-five year plan, because we align it with the national development plan. It is to ensure we have a multi-annual plan...

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

Helen McEntee: I will reiterate the point that the capital plan is for rural and urban areas. It does not distinguish between them. It is only appropriate that the Garda Commissioner, who is responsible for the resourcing of the Garda, would be responsible for the roll-out of any capital plan. I do not have any figures in front of me in respect of unused Garda stations.

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

Helen McEntee: No, there is a separate capital plan for prisons that come in under the Department of Justice. The Act itself has to assume compliance with the ten days. In extreme circumstances, one would go to the board and issue what I am not sure would be a warning but it would be assumed that if the Minister directed something to be done within the ten days that it would happen, or that reasonable...

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...