Results 5,541-5,560 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The processing time for de-facto partnership applications for persons with an existing immigration permission, which can be made from inside the State, takes an average of twelve months. At present, my Department is currently processing applications from May 2022. Applications are strictly dealt with in chronological order of receipt and decisions are reached on a case by case basis. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Sign Language (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department and the agencies and bodies under its aegis are committed to full implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. We are also keen to continue the fruitful collaboration with the National Disability Authority (NDA) in this regard which has come as a result of the recent Operation of the ISL Act Survey and report. My Department hosted a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Travel Documents (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Further to Parliamentary Question No. 455 of 24 January 2023 I can confirm that carriers are required to ensure that passengers travelling to the State are in possession of a valid travel document that establishes the person’s identity and nationality, and that they have the appropriate visa if required. Section 2(1) of the Immigration Act 2003 specifically refers. Where a person...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that Ireland follows the guidance of the UNHCR in relation to claims for international protection based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity and was one of the first countries to specifically bring sexual orientation within the ambit of a ‘particular social group’, under the legislation that was in force prior to the commencement of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The appointments referred to are to be made in accordance with Section 15 of the Data Protection Act 2018, which provides for up to three Commissioners to be appointed. Section 15(5) of the Act specifies that the Public Appointments Service shall recommend a person for appointment as Commissioner following an open selection competition held by the Service for that purpose. As such, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications that Radon gas is recognised as a serious threat to public health and estimated to be responsible for approximately 350 cases of lung cancer annually in Ireland. The Government has established a National Radon Control Strategy (NRCS), which included 31 actions on a broad range of measures aimed at reducing the risk from...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 562 and 583 together. 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 for decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that there are a number of people in prison serving sentences listed as “Careless” or “Dangerous” Driving. The number of people and the offences, as requested by the Deputy, are set out in the table below. Offence Description 2025 2026 CARELESS DRIVING...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Travel Documents (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Border Management Unit of my Department is responsible for frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. All other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I want to assure the Deputy that I am acutely conscious of the devastating impact that illegal drugs and drug dealing have on communities across the country....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Official Engagements (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Since my appointment as Minister for Justice in December 2022, it has not yet been possible to arrange a meeting with the UK Home Secretary, Suella Braverman. I do however hope to speak with her in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Directives (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 567 and 586 together. On 1st March 2022, the Government approved publication of the Report of the Review of the Defamation Act 2009 and the development of a General Scheme of a Defamation (Amendment) Bill on foot of the Report. As the Deputy has noted, a key recommendation in the Report is to introduce a new ‘anti-SLAPP’ mechanism -...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Equality Issues (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department launched its first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy in March 2022. The Strategy is central to my Department’s mission of working for safe, fair and inclusive Ireland. It aims to strengthen my Department’s capabilities to promote equality, embrace diversity and foster inclusion, both in our daily interactions and activities as colleagues, and also...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 569 and 570 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment of Garda members and staff under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As the Deputy will also be aware, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The Citizenship Division receives approximately 1,000 applications per month and utilises the resources available to maximise processing and reduce waiting times. The Division are working very hard to maintain as prompt a service delivery as possible, given the volume of applications currently being received. Unfortunately, last year significant delays were regrettably experienced...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Travel Documents (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: 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 subject to the law and to respect for individual rights. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. Overall, my Department is working to minimise the timeframe for receiving a decision on an international protection application,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (21 Feb 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...