Results 6,481-6,500 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Council Legislation (18 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Legislation is being drafted to provide for the establishment of a Judicial Council. It is intended that the key functions of that Council would encompass the maintenance and promotion of excellence in the exercise by judges of their judicial function and of high standards of conduct among judges. The model, which will of course be subject to consideration and approval by Government in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (18 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned has been granted permission to remain in the State for a three year period following the consideration of their case under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This decision was conveyed in writing to them by letter dated 15th March, 2016. It will be open...

Adjournment Debate: Garda Reports (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputies are aware, I published the report of the O'Higgins commission of investigation into certain matters relevant to the Cavan-Monaghan division of the Garda Síochána on 11 May. The report deserves the most careful consideration so that we can do everything possible to avoid a repeat of the issues that gave rise to the commission in the first place. The Government...

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will not comment on a particular judicial decision on the granting of free legal aid but my Department is looking at changes in the legislation on free legal aid. There are constitutional issues over access to free legal aid and these have to be respected but if it is possible to amend the legislation in some way to ensure a person who is in a position to make a contribution to the cost...

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: We are operating on Standing Orders dating from 2002, but I understand the issue the Deputy has raised will be addressed by the proposals and work done on Dáil reform. I am sure the Ceann Comhairle can confirm that work is ongoing to deal with the points the Deputy has raised.

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will ask the Minister with responsibility for housing, Deputy Coveney, to liaise directly with the Deputy on this issue and on the current approach. I am aware of the issue, which is a long-standing one that has not been dealt with. There are a range of barriers against people who wish to purchase their accommodation. A significant proportion of people in local authority housing would...

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is comprehensive.

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to reassure Deputy McGrath that the Minister has been briefed in regard to the job losses he mentioned and her Department is aware of the situation. I am sure she will take the appropriate action. In regard to the facility the Deputy mentioned, I am sure the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, will be in touch with the Deputy on the matter. I do not have the details on it.

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The establishment of the new committees is linked with the Dáil reform programme which contains proposals on the number and range of committees we need in place. The Whip assures me that work is ongoing on the establishment of the committees, but that will take a number of weeks. On the legislation in regard to Irish Water which is expected shortly, I expect and it is the intention...

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes, that is the intention.

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: To answer Deputy Gerry Adams's final question, I confirm that Ireland will be able to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities within the next six months on the basis that the capacity legislation was passed towards the end of last year. That was the final significant Bill that had to be passed before Ireland could fully implement the convention. Some further...

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Its findings were mixed. It found in favour of the Government on a significant number of the issues it had addressed. It also found areas where there was no violation and some areas where there was. I am merely highlighting that the report's findings on how we are meeting our obligations in that area are mixed. On Traveller ethnicity, this issue will form part of the discussions on...

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: We went in the right direction.

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: On the necessity to complete legislation on paternity leave in a timely manner, I am aware that Deputy Joan Burton was very committed to the Bill to which she referred, as is the Government, and I have no doubt that it will be passed in a timely manner. As the Deputy noted, an insurance based scheme must be in place if the payments are to be made later in the year. On compliance with the...

Appointment of Ministers and Ministers of State (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Health with special responsibility for disability issues.

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is proposed to take No. 2, Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) the following arrangements shall apply in relation to No. 2: (i) the opening speech of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, AAA-PBP,...

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Micheál Martin. On the first issue raised, there was a report on zero-hours contracts and there is also the report I have mentioned in regard to Clerys. They will obviously be considered by the Minister in regard to the issue the Deputy raised. I accept the point the Deputy made on casualisation but we have to put it into the context of the growth in the number of...

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Nevertheless, the issues the Deputy raised in regard to Tesco ones to be considered. He mentioned the Workplace Relations Commission. The programme for Government contains reinforcement and support for the work of the commission. With regard to the commission to be set up, I do not have the details yet but it is intended to establish it in the next couple of months. I can give the...

Order of Business (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Cardiac services. I assume it would be an expert clinician who would carry out the review but that is to be determined by the Minister for Health. No doubt, the details of that review will be announced in the coming days.

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Obviously, the Taoiseach will make a statement when we have the debate in the House. That debate is being arranged by the Whips. In this era of new politics, it is important that I respect the law and the duty that I have to it. That is what I have been doing in my responses to the Deputy on this question. The commission and Mr. Justice O'Higgins were in the best position to hear all...