Results 5,401-5,420 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I too welcome the visitors in the Gallery. I am not sure we will get to that section. We are working through the Bill anyway and are obviously committed to working with all of them as the Bill progresses and beyond. Obviously the amendments collectively are relating to policing principles. I will speak to the first one and then group the others together. Amendment No. 7 proposes to add...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Senator alluded to it in her last comment. Community safety can mean different things to different people. To her last point, it can mean somebody who takes the law into his or her own hands, or tries to because of his or her perception of a person or group of people in that individual's community. Nobody is above the law. That is why we have An Garda Síochána; to make sure...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for the amendments. Again, all of them are particularly focused on the functions of An Garda Síochána under section 9. In amendment No. 12, the Senator is proposing to insert the phrase "preserving safety and security in our communities." If one looks at the section and the objectives of An Garda Síochána - and I know the Senator is saying that it...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I cannot accept the amendment because it is actually provided for elsewhere in the Bill. In section 30(4)(ii) of the Bill it confirms that the Garda Commissioner is accountable to the board for the performance of his or her functions. The function of the Garda Commissioner then in section 33 of the Bill includes the function "to assist and cooperate with the Authority and the Police...

Immigration: Motion [Private Members] (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes: — that, as a nation who over centuries saw so many Irish people emigrate to find safety or work, the Irish people understand what it means to be a migrant, and know how much Irish emigrants contributed to the social and economic fabric of the United States, the United...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Middle East (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together. I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure a co-ordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Visiting Committees (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act 1925 provided for the statutory establishment of Prison Visiting Committees for each prison. Rules relating to the specific functions and operation of such Committees are set out in the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order 1925, and the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order 1972. Appointments to Prison Visiting Committees are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that there have been 21 removals effected under Section 20(b) of the European Communities Freedom of Movement of Persons Regulations 2015 during 2023. The associated flight costs are €29,989.92. This includes the flight costs of escorts from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Subsistence or accommodation costs for members of the GNIB are met under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Northern Ireland (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Under Article 1 (vi) of the Good Friday Agreement, the British and Irish Governments "recognise the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose, and accordingly confirm that their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship is accepted by both Governments and would not be affected by any...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Fines Administration (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Fines Administration (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Fines Administration (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: The persons referred to by the Deputy created on-line Join Family visa applications on 13 August 2023. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were applied on 16 August 2023 in the Hanoi visa office. These visa applications were received in our Dublin Visa Office on 28 August 2023. These applications are currently awaiting comprehensive examination. Long Stay Join Family visa...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Through the Justice Plan I am progressing a suite of policy and legislative reforms which are priorities for me as Minister, in line with the commitments set out in the Programme for Government. Some of the priority achievements of my Department are set out below. Unprecedented investment in support of An Garda Síochána Budget 2024 provides for funding to support the recruitment of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that based on the information supplied, it has unfortunately not been possible to identify a visa application for the person referred to. If more information can be provided I will ask the Visa office of my Department to re-examine your request and provide an update on the relevant application. Information that would be of assistance in identifying the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (6 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the position in regard to applications for family reunification is set out in the Policy Document for Non-EEA Family Reunification,which is available on my Department's website. The policy document sets out the rationale for applying resource requirements as part of the overall assessment of whether to approve an application for family reunification. In general...

Confidence in the Minister for Justice: Motion (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: First, I thank all Deputies for their contributions to this evening's debate. I know the thoughts of everyone in the House very much remain with the victims of the appalling attack that took place 12 days ago outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire and my thoughts are, in particular, with the young child and her carer who are both still in a critical condition in hospital. Of course, we are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Management Companies (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 (Minimum Standards) Regulations 2020 sets down minimum standards to be observed by property services providers in the provision of property services. For example, Regulation 5 (1) imposes an obligation on a licensee “to respond to all communications from a client by whatever means agreed with the client and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly and efficiently, as part of the broader Government response to this challenging issue. The number of international protection applications in 2022 was 13,650, a significant increase on recent years. It represents a 186% increase on the number received in 2019, the most recent year in which...