Results 6,021-6,040 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Leaders' Questions (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have read the summary of the HIQA report and I agree with the Deputy that some of the findings regarding South Tipperary General Hospital are extremely disturbing. I noted, however, that when the HIQA inspectors returned six weeks later they had found considerable improvement in some of the issues that had been identified when they first visited on an emergency basis. The Deputy is right,...

Leaders' Questions (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I also note, as the Deputy says, the capacity issues, and the Minister accepts that there are legitimate capacity issues in the hospital. It has in fact been experiencing high occupancy rates since January. It is a question of reinvestment and the fact that our hospitals need further capital investment. Thankfully, because of the changes in our economy, we are now in a position to do that,...

Leaders' Questions (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The people most affected do not need political theatrics; what they need is action. I have been very clear that the Minister will take action on this issue. Previously a total of 40% of the companies were charging by weight. Legislation is the right approach as it will reduce costs for most households. If it is being exploited, the matter will be dealt with. The Minister will meet the...

Leaders' Questions (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is not the Government which has introduced this charge; therefore, I do not accept the way the Deputy has framed the issue. It appears the companies are taking the opportunity presented by the new legislation to change the standing charges. What I have made very clear is that this is not acceptable to the Government; it is not acceptable to the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, and, if...

Leaders' Questions (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is an issue about which the Government and I are concerned. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, has asked the major waste collection companies to meet with him next week to discuss this, as well as other issues around the introduction of pay-by-weight. He will put it up to them to explain their justification for what is happening and...

Leaders' Questions (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is an incorrect analysis. The issue is how certain companies are behaving. This is a competitive market. If this is seen as taking advantage, the Minister will introduce regulations if necessary. In the first instance, however, he is meeting with the companies next week and is dealing with this as an urgent issue. We accept it is an urgent issue. We do not wish to see consumers...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Registration Authority Administration (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that rights of way can be created in grant by deed (between the owner of the subject land and the owner of the land intended to benefit from the right) orthe right can be shown to have been acquired by prescription. Prescription is the acquisition of such rights by user as of right over a substantial period of time. The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act, 2009 as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: General Register Office (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 56 together. The recognition in Ireland of a divorce granted in Australia will be governed by the Domicile and Recognition of Foreign Divorces Act 1986 which sets out the circumstances in which a divorce granted in a jurisdiction outside of Ireland will be recognised. However, I am not in a position as Minister to give legal advice in response to a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drugs in Prisons (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the formal mandatory drug testing of prisoners ceased in 2013. The programme ceased as it was limited in respect of the type of drugs which could be detected in the tests. As such these tests were not offering value for money or the operational outcomes needed by the prison service. Limited targeted drug testing of prisoners has continued for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Forensic Science Ireland Laboratory (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) provides the Garda Síochána with up to date services in forensic science, including in the area of drugs and DNA analysis. I recognise the very significant part Forensic Science Ireland plays within the criminal justice system, including its vital role in providing evidence for the courts. There is no doubt that this work has been invaluable to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Treatment Court (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, we have had a dedicated Drug Treatment Court operating in Ireland for some time now that is is aimed at people with drug addiction problems who come before the District Court on minor criminal charges linked to their drug addiction. It is a problem solving court and makes an important contribution, not least as an alternative to prison. The Drug Treatment Court...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Safety (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand that the introduction of preliminary roadside drug testing has been provided for in the Road Traffic Bill 2016, which was published earlier this year by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, and which was passed by the Seanad on 26 January. I am advised that this Bill is expected to be introduced in the Dáil at Second Stage in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State under the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 for a period of five years expiring on 21 July, 2016. I am advised that the person's permission was registered up to 28 January, 2015 in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed Circuit Television Systems Provision (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to provide investment in CCTV systems along the road network and in urban centres. I am very conscious of the value that communities, especially rural communities, place on CCTV as a means of deterring crime and assisting in the detection of offenders. With this in mind, I instigated a review of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Subject to all of the documentation being in order, I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that decisions on the visa applications from the persons referred to should issue within the next two to three weeks. Details on the current processing times for various categories of visa applications are published on the INIS website and may be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Cases (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware that the members of the family connected with the case referred to have pursued complaints in respect of a number of issues over a long period of time and that there was also protracted litigation which I believe was concluded some time ago. There are, however, no aspects of this case currently under examination in my Department and there are no further actions being taken or open...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the application in question is under consideration and a decision is anticipated shortly. Temporary arrangements to cover further processing time will not be necessary.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Airport Security (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The normal arrangements in respect of flights such as these will apply. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not the practice to comment on the detail of security arrangements that are put in place in respect of travel arrangements for visiting dignitaries.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Independent Review Mechanism (16 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy refers to the Independent Review Mechanism established to review certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which were made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may have been required in each case. A panel consisting of...