Results 5,861-5,880 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

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...

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

Simon Harris: Cyber-crimes can cause not only devastating financial problems but can also cause mental stress for the victims and their families. Every person in Ireland deserves to feel safe and to be safe when they conduct their personal business online or over the phone, and so the practice of trying to trick people out of their personal information or hard-earned money is truly disgusting and will not...

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

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. Since 2015, the government has increased the budget of An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment. The Deputy will appreciate...

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

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that there is a robust framework of legislation in place to monitor and manage the risk posed by convicted sex offenders to the community and that it is kept under ongoing review.   Under the Sex Offenders Act 2001, convicted sex offenders have to notify Gardaí of their personal details, including their name and address for a period of time after...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: Community CCTV schemes have benefitted many communities, helping people to feel safer in their local areas. It is a priority for this Department to ensure that community groups continue to be supported in making contributions to the setting up of their local CCTV schemes.  As the Deputy may be aware, the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is under review and a General Scheme of a Criminal Legal Aid Bill is being prepared, the key purpose of which will be, to transfer the administration of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme to the Legal Aid Board and to otherwise update the administration of criminal legal aid. My Department has consulted with the Courts Service, the Legal...