Results 5,721-5,740 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: On the Deputy's point on the recruitment of GPs, it is not just a national issue but also an international one, as he will be well aware. Every effort is being made regarding this. A higher number of training places has been agreed in recent times. With regard to the FEMPI legislation, it is the Government’s intention to unwind as much of that in as timely a way as possible....

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Harty. I certainly agree with the last statement that he made, namely, that we need to see a new GP contract and the service to be underpinned properly by that. Under the framework agreement that was entered into between the HSE, the Department of Health and the IMO in June 2014, a process was agreed under which the parties could negotiate on all publicly funded health sector...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The first thing to say on the broader issue of Brexit is that the discussions in Brussels are ongoing and the European Council is the appropriate place to deal with all of the issues which are arising for the whole of Europe and which have particular relevance for Ireland given our very close relationship with the UK. There will be statements in the House next week on the outcome of the...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Regardless of who attended or did not attend a particular meeting, the situation is as I have outlined it to the Deputy. Clearly, Government, Dáil and UN resolution approval are required before we can be involved in any particular initiative. That remains the case. It has not changed. The legislation to which the Deputy referred did not change it. The triple lock remains in place...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is not being batted back and forth. There are proposals under active consideration, as I said to the Deputy, to resolve the situation. The Minister is meeting the families to resolve the issue and come up with a solution. I am not putting it on the floor of the House this morning but the intention is to get a solution and to find a resolution to the matter. The Minister is actively...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities was launched in 2015 and it was the first proper and extensive national strategy. A very important policy agenda for supporting people with disabilities was outlined in it. The Government committed an extra €31 million to disability issues a number of weeks ago. The most up-to-date position on the WALK PEER programme...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, has invited ASTI to meet him. We want to avoid an increment freeze and every opportunity will be taken to deal with the outstanding issues. On entry levels of pay, very difficult decisions were taken in recent years and many people, including gardaí and teachers, were affected by them, given that they were subject to the...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I first join the Deputy in expressing my sympathy and that of the Government to the people of Turkey after the appalling terrorist attack at the international airport in Istanbul. It was a vicious and indiscriminate attack which claimed more than 41 lives and left many people seriously injured. I agree with the Deputy that across Europe we need to reinforce our efforts against and combat the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: All States, including Ireland, operate immigration controls for well established reasons of public policy, including consideration of the economic impacts for the State. To this end policies regarding all non-nationals wishing to enter the State are kept under review and revised from time to time. As outlined in previous responses for Parliamentary Questions, I requested officials in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Passport Applications (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The processing of applications for passports is the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and I therefore have no function in the matter. The entitlement to Irish citizenship however, including citizenship by descent and through naturalisation, is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. I have no plans to amend...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 to 61, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Controls (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Since 16th June, 2015, front-line immigration controls are being undertaken in Terminal 1 at Dublin Airport on a 24/7 basis by civilian staff from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department. In October, 2015 INIS civilian staff took over the front-line immigration controls in the Transit Area of Terminal 2. A Public Appointment Service (PAS) recruitment...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy may be aware, the Garda Diversion Programme operates in accordance with Part 4 of the Children Act 2001, as amended, and under the general superintendence and control of the Garda Commissioner. The aim of the Diversion Programme, through the network of Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLOs), is to deal with young people who offend, by way of administering a formal or informal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 66 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources, including in relation to developments of the PULSE system, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I have, however, been informed by the Garda authorities that the PULSE system allows for the creation of searchable records in relation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and vehicles, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. In regard to...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (28 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The legislation that will be brought to the House, similar to the legislation that was brought before it when the convention was being set up, will concern the selection of citizens from the electoral register. The points made by the Deputy are certainly interesting, in particular the first point about who is included in the electoral register. The intention is that it is people on the...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (28 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: If the Deputy attends the citizenship ceremonies, as I do, she will know about the wide range of people from all over the world who have applied for and gained Irish citizenship in the past ten years and who are now on the electoral register. On the Deputy's point about protecting people from undue influence, that issue was managed very successfully during the convention and I believe it...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (28 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It was agreed to by the Cabinet this morning. I do not yet have a date for when it will be brought to the House.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (28 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand 18 Leader programmes were announced last week. This was an important statement on them. The Government certainly recognises the importance of the Leader programmes.