Results 5,521-5,540 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Seanad: Recent Violence in Dublin City Centre: Motion (29 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: As public representatives, we all have a duty to know and understand that the words and actions we use have consequences. We saw last week that we are starting to see the spread of hatred and of a small group of people, which is unfortunately starting to grow. They are intent on sowing division and hatred in our society with the sole objective of creating instability and challenging our...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (29 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department are currently receiving very high levels of applications across several of their immigration schemes, which is causing some delays. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all decisions related to the opening hours of individual Garda stations and all human resource matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am advised by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (29 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: All staff are made aware of prompt payment interest and the need to process payments in a timely manner. In addition, the amount of interest and penalties paid are monitored on an ongoing basis by my Department's Financial Management Unit and where necessary, reminders are issued on the requirement to process payments in a timely manner. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (29 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Any non-EEA national who comes to the State as a visitor is expected to leave Ireland before the expiry of their visitor permission. It is open to the person to apply for a further extension of their visitor permission, if there has been an unexpected change in their circumstances since they arrived in Ireland. All applications are processed within two weeks of receipt. Any application...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Directives (29 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the below table. EU Measure EU Transposition Deadline Estimated date for transposition Directive (EU) 2023/1544 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2023 laying down harmonised rules on the designation of designated establishments and the appointment of legal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (29 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The rioting and violent disorder we saw in Dublin City last Thursday evening was a disgrace and I condemn it in the strongest terms. I commend An Garda Síochána for their courageous and selfless work in restoring order and all the emergency services for their quick and effective response to both incidents. As the Deputy is aware, I have provided additional resources for...

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...