Results 5,541-5,560 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to create stronger, safer communities. My Department has provided funding for the recruitment of 1,000 new Gardaí this year and we are seeing more Garda recruits enter Templemore approximately every 11 weeks. As the Deputy will be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity, including by organised crime groups, is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and this Government. An Garda Síochána continues to target those involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs through Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) team at Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels currently consists of seven officials from the Department of Justice made up of one Counsellor, four Attachés and two administrative staff. There are currently no vacancies in the JHA team. The role of officials in the JHA team is to offer assistance to Ministers and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Mental Health Services (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, in fulfilment of the Programme for Government commitment, the Final Report and Recommendations of the High Level Task Force to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of those who come into contact with the criminal justice sector was published by Minister McEntee and the Minister for Health in September 2022. The recommendations of the Task Force...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: Ireland has obligations under EU and International Law to consider applications for international protection from those who come to our country fleeing persecution. The International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department is responsible for examining all international protection applications received. The staff of the IPO are independent in the exercise of their international protection...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that the granting of a work permit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) does not result in the automatic granting of a visa by the Department of Justice.  The two processes are distinct application processes with different checks and procedures in place in each respective Department. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 94 together. The Government is committed to creating stronger and safer rural and urban communities and a strengthened Garda Síochána is at the heart of that. My Department is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of over €2 billion....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: Insurance reform is a key priority for this Government and is reflected in the Programme for Government, the Government’s Action Plan for Insurance Reform, and in the Justice Plan 2023. It is intended that a number of sections of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1995 be amended, in line with the Government policy objective of restricting the liability of occupiers. These...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: Spiking a person’s drink is a very serious offences. Section 12 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 provides for a general poisoning offence and already criminalises anyone who spikes a drink. Section 12 of the 1997 Act applies to anyone who intentionally or recklessly administers a substance which is capable of interfering substantially with another...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Government commits to ‘recognise the domestic and international importance of data protection in Ireland’ and states that the Government ‘will ensure that Ireland delivers on its responsibilities under the General Data Protection Regulation’. The Government is very conscious of the commitment to deliver effective data protection regulation and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: Under the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence we are committed to doubling the number of refuge spaces, bringing it to over 280. This will be the fastest ever expansion of refuge spaces. In addition, and by putting in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation, the Government will accelerate the number of refuge spaces that can be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Paramilitary Groups (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: To facilitate monitoring of the implementation of measures aimed at ending paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland, the Fresh Start Agreement provided for the establishment by the Irish and UK Governments of the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC).  An international agreement between Ireland and the UK establishing the IRC was signed in Dublin on 13 September 2016 and it was given...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders Notification Requirements (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an EU Regulation, by which Ireland is bound and the European Court of Justice is responsible for the interpretation of European law, including the GDPR.  The "right to be forgotten" is a data protection right which the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) established in the 2014 “Google Spain”...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, and all applications are processed in line with the eligibility criteria as set out under the Act. Each application is assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, a Coroner is an independent quasi-judicial office holder whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. This is an important public service to the living and in particular to the next-of-kin and friends of the deceased. Coroners not only provide closure for those bereaved, but also perform a wider...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: Under the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, we are committed to doubling the number of refuge spaces, bringing it to over 280. This will be the fastest ever expansion of refuge spaces. In addition, and by putting in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation, the Government will accelerate the number of refuge spaces that can...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: A key element of our policy on building safer and stronger communities is that communities themselves have a crucial role to play. There is no one size fits all approach, because each community has different needs and challenges. My Department's community safety policy is about people being safe and feeling safe in their own community. This approach goes far beyond the traditional...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cannabis for Medicinal Use (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will appreciate, as Minister for Justice I cannot comment on any individual case. Sentencing is of course a matter for the Judiciary, who are entirely independent in the exercise of their functions. I cannot intervene in the outcome of any court proceeding. The Deputy may also be aware that the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration An Garda Síochána, which includes the allocation of Garda members between the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. The Deputy may wish to be aware that my Department publishes...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: Since its introduction in June 2018, under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), the labour market access permission issued by my Department has had a very positive impact for international protection applicants and employers alike. Over 13,000 first labour market access permissions have been granted to date.  This permission gives...