Results 5,861-5,880 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Passport Services (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. There are no provisions for the spouse or partner of an Irish citizen to acquire Irish citizenship solely...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 to 136, inclusive, together. The Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. The State is required to examine the application of anyone who presents at the borders of the State, or is in the State, and indicates...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases, under reservation, in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The State is required to examine the application of anyone who presents at the borders of the State, or is in the State, and indicates that they wish to make an application for international protection. This is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law and the Government takes those commitments very seriously. My Department takes all necessary steps to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. The data in the table below show the latest statistics on decisions made. Latest Decision Made per Applicant for International Protection from 2019 to September 2023* Decision Year ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases, under reservation, in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that not every nationality is visa required to travel to the State. A full list of visa required and non-visa required countries is available at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Immigrati on-Service-Delivery-Visa-and-Non-Visa-Required-Countries.pdf Any visa required national that wishes to enter the State, and remain, for up to 90...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reviews (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners established a Joint Review Group to examine the role of Sheriffs, as currently constituted, in respect of State work. The Review Group was independently chaired by a former Secretary General of this Department, and comprised of representatives from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Courts Service, the Departments of Justice,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Diplomatic Representation (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The International Protection Office examine applications for international protection by anyone who indicates they wish to make an application. The staff of the IPO are independent by law in the exercise of their international protection functions. All applications for international protection are examined fully and individually on their merits, including those from countries which are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware as Minister for Justice, I have no role in the exercise of Probate functions. The Probate Office is an office of the High Court, and management of the courts is the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. Probate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Peace Commissioners (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Peace Commissioners are appointed by the Minister for Justice under Section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924. The appointment of a Peace Commissioner is entirely at the discretion of the Minister for Justice and the fact that an applicant or nominee may be suitable for appointment does not, in itself, provide any entitlement to appointment as a Peace Commissioner because other...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: In order to work in Ireland, a non-EEA national, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid employment permit, which is administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). It is open to the person referred to to apply to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an Employment Permit. More information is available from the Department of Enterprise, Trade...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Functions (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware primary responsibility for nature conservation, wildlife protection and the presentation and preservation of our National Parks and Nature Reserves sits with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. My Department has no direct role in the setting of environmental standards or protection of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy was issued a letter refusing permission to remain in the state on 2 August 2022. In response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the persons concerned. These representations, together with all other information and documentation on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Protected Disclosures (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on nor confirm the existence of any specific protected disclosure. Nor would it be appropriate for me to comment on individual cases involving staff of my Department or the agencies under its remit. However, as the Deputy is aware, the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to allow workers...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: What Senators Ruane and Flynn are proposing is to prohibit the use of devices that are capable of processing using FRT. Under the Data Protection Act 2018, specific primary legislation would be necessary for the use of FRT. This Bill would retain the status quo. We have obviously introduced plans to bring forward a separate Bill looking at facial recognition technology. Separate...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Amendment No. 3 is a technical amendment to update the expenses provision of the Bill to reflect the change in the name of the Department. As Senators are aware, the Government formally agreed to change the name of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform with effect from 1 February. Amendment No....

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: We are discussing amendments Nos. 5, 6 and 8 to 12, inclusive. The proposal is to make clear that Garda personnel would be required to turn on their cameras when asked to do so. This would ultimately be a matter for the code of practice, which is dealt with in section 43. This will outline clearly the circumstances in which Garda personnel have to turn on their cameras, including how they...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: They would have to be set out but they have not been decided on yet. That can only be done when a decision has been taken. I know this is referred to in a later amendment but there will be a pilot and the intention is that it will be up and running in the middle of next year. It will allow us to tease through any issues that may arise and that would necessitate any changes.