Results 5,481-5,500 of 15,342 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (29 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Family Reunification application for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time. All applications are processed in chronological order. The speed in which a decision can be made largely depends on the quality of the application received. My Department will continue to engage with the applicant for any further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (29 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The rioting and violent disorder we saw in Dublin last week was a disgrace and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. I want to commend all Garda members for their quick and effective response in restoring order to the city. A high visibility policing plan which operated over the weekend ensured order was maintained and this will continue. As the Deputy is aware, it is the role of...

Policing, Protests and Public Order: Statements (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I wish to address a point made by Deputy Gannon on Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire first. It is my priority, and I am sure that of everyone else, at the moment to make sure the children, their parents and the staff in the wider community are supported in every way possible. I reassure Deputy Gannon, and any families of those in the school, that Garda members are present and liaison officers...

Policing, Protests and Public Order: Statements (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am almost finished. Yes, we must have a fair and efficient immigration system, one where people can come and contribute, or can come and seek protection, and one where people who do not have a right to be here are asked to leave. However, this Chamber is where we as democratically elected representatives debate those issues. We cannot cede to the manipulative thugs who wreaked havoc last...

Policing, Protests and Public Order: Statements (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The thoughts of everyone in this House remain with the victims of the appalling attack that took place outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire last week. Our thoughts are particularly with the young child and her carer, who intervened so bravely. Both remain in critical condition in hospital. We all wish for their full recovery, as we have been doing all weekend. We have all gone home to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The responsibility for Integration transferred from my Department to the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth on 14 October 2020. My Department retained responsibility in the fields of migration and international protection policy, in which integration dimensions are an important ongoing consideration, but not such that it is feasible to set clearly delineated...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Jury Service (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Jury service exists to protect an individual's rights and to involve the public in the administration of justice. Jury service is one of the most important civic duties that a person can be asked to perform. While there are no expenses paid to jurors who are called for jury duty, lunch and refreshments are provided for those who ultimately serve on a jury. Information for potential jurors...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Insurance Industry (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Government is committed to facilitating easier, speedier access to justice for businesses and individuals, and part of this involves addressing the issue of costs associated with accessing the legal system. The Report of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice (known as the Kelly Report) made over 90 recommendations. Arising from the Review...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time.I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Combatting domestic violence is a priority for both me and this Government, and this is reflected in a range of policies and legislation, as well as unprecedented increases in Budget allocations. In June of last year, I published an ambitious five-year Zero Tolerance Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This is a €363 million strategy, and is built on the four...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published an FAQ document concerning the closure of the programme on my Department's Immigration Services website, which will be updated with any further questions arising from the closure, and is available here:...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Freedom of Information (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to fulfilling all obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2014. My Department ensures that those requesting information are dealt with in an open and constructive manner. The information requested is provided in the table below. Year Requests Received Requests Refused by Decision Maker 2022 ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: 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 Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe. The Government has allocated the highest ever budget to An Garda Síochána. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published an FAQ document concerning the closure of the programme on my Department's Immigration Services website, which will be updated with any further questions arising from the closure, and is available here:...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Airport Security (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Matters of aviation security are agreed between the Airport Operator and An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will appreciate that for sound security reasons, it is not the policy to comment on specific arrangements in place for individual air carriers.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Following extensive consultation with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies, consumers and communities, the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill was published on 25 October 2022. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice conducted two pre-legislative scrutiny sessions on the draft legislation, and the Committee’s report was published on 2...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The sentence for murder is a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. I have committed to developing legislation to allow judges recommend minimum periods in prison where a life sentence has been handed down. This would allow a judge, for example, to recommend that a minimum period of 20, 25 or 30 years be served before parole may be granted. I believe that a new provision of this kind will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Employment Schemes (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that both I and this Government continue to be focused on reducing reoffending including by diverting people, where appropriate, from the criminal justice system and ensuring the underlying causes of offending behaviour are addressed. Part of this is giving people a second chance, an opportunity to build a crime free life, and we know gaining stable employment and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The application for an Extension of Student Conditions (ESTC) permission from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order by date received. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of...