Results 6,561-6,580 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Constitutional Amendments (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is extensive case law providing that the family referred to in the Constitution is the family based on marriage. A proposal to extend constitutional recognition to other family forms would most probably require an amendment to the Constitution to be put to the People by way of referendum. However, it is important to note that the constitution does recognise the fundamental rights of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, the courts are subject only to the Constitution and the Law and are independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. The conduct of any court case, including the determination of liability between the parties to an action concerning a personal injury is a matter entirely for the presiding judge and the Minister has no function in this matter. However, I wish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As per the Programme for Government long durations in direct provision are acknowledged to have a negative impact on family life. We are therefore committed to reforming the Direct Provision system, with particular focus on families and children. The report of the Working Group to Government on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Investigation (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is 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 the 11th of May. I want, again, to record my thanks to Mr Justice O'Higgins and his team for carrying out their task so expeditiously and for the thorough and thoughtful report. It deserves the most...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Report of the Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers, has implications for a number of Government Departments and services. The 173 recommendations in the Report were taken forward by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. To date, some 90 of the recommendations have been fully...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, I have met with the Stardust Victims' Committee and I have appointed an official in my Department to liaise directly with them in relation to matters about which they have expressed concern. There has been a significant degree of engagement between the Committee and my Department since the putting in place of that liaison arrangement. Following on from discussions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vehicles (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Questions no. 217 to 228 on 20 April 2016 providing detailed information in relation to the number of vehicles available to members of An Garda Síochána in Loughrea, Ballinasloe and Tuam Garda districts in Galway. As the Deputy will appreciate decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the Government's decision to establish the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the EU migrant crisis. Under the programme, Ireland has agreed to accept 4,000 persons in total under resettlement and relocation programmes within a two-year period. The figure of 4,000 includes approximately 2,600 asylum...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that visa applications from 'qualifying family members' who wish to travel to Ireland under the terms of 2004/38/EC Directive on the rights of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of Member States are processed in chronological order of receipt....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Rights Issues (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I indicated in my remarks in Geneva Ireland places great importance on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). We consider the UPR process, by which the international community holds each UN Member State to account in relation to its individual human rights record, as a real and practical expression of the fact that human rights are not solely of domestic concern, but rather a legitimate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Missing Persons (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I indicated in my response to other questions on this case today, I am very conscious of the ongoing trauma and distress for the families and friends of persons who go missing and, in relation to the case referred to, I can assure the Deputy that I am aware of the various concerns which have been raised. I am also mindful of the sensitivity of the issues involved and, in this regard, I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Assets Bureau (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: All monies collected by the Criminal Assets Bureau are returned to the Exchequer in accordance with the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Acts 1996 and 2005. Such funds are paid into the Government’s Central Fund, from which the Government draws for expenditure on all necessary public services and investment. From time to time, it has been suggested that such monies should be used...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 continuing review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. Key to achieving this goal is the commitment in the Programme for Government, "A Programme for a Partnership Government" tocontinue the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: At the outset, I would like to say that I am very conscious of the ongoing trauma and distress for the families and friends of persons who go missing and, in relation to the case referred to by the Deputy, I can assure the House that I am fully aware of the various concerns which have been raised about it. I am also mindful of the sensitivity of the issues involved and, in this regard, I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 continuing review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gangland Crime (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy may be aware, the Taoiseach and I met recently with senior Garda management in relation to these serious matters, and were briefed on the significant progress being made in investigations into recent organised crime related murders in the Dublin region. The Deputy will appreciate that as these appalling crimes are the subject of ongoing Garda investigations it would not be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 continuing review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 continuing review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that addressing gangland crime remains a key ongoing priority for both the Government and for An Garda Síochána. As the Deputy is aware, the Taoiseach and I recently met with senior Garda management and were briefed on the significant progress being made in investigations into recent gang-related murders in the Dublin region. I can assure the Deputy that I,...