Results 7,161-7,180 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Inspectorate Reports (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I also refer to the working group on information and communications technology, ICT, which was an absolutely critical part of the aforementioned crime investigation report. Initiatives already have taken place in order that, for example, investigations now are recorded on the PULSE system, which was not the case previously. These initiatives and actions have been taken to implement some of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Surveillance Operations (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose details of any authorisations to intercept. The Deputy will understand that this practice of long standing, which has been followed by my predecessors, arises for sound security reasons. The Deputy will appreciate that I am maintaining this practice of my predecessors, but I can assure him and the House that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Operation Thor, which was launched on 2 November 2015, is a multi-strand national anti-crime and anti-burglary operation which has been facilitated by the very significant investments in Garda resources which have been made by this Government. Operation Thor entails a broad range of activities to tackle burglars, organised crime gangs and prolific offenders as well as working with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Paramilitary Groups (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The talks leading to A Fresh Start - The Stormont House Agreement and implementation Planincluded a focus on tackling cross-Border organised crime as part of the series of measures to support a culture of lawfulness and bring an end to paramilitarism in Northern Ireland. The Agreement includes out a new structure to enhance and intensify North-South co-operation in tackling cross-Border...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including the Garda Reserve, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keeps this distribution under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of all resources.I am informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The particular case to which the Deputy refers is amongst those considered under the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach, or other public representatives with a view to determining to what extent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective and visible policing throughout the country. A crucial element of the Government's strategy is ensuring ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána. With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí this year bringing to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Numbers (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: This programme, which was agreed at European level in September 2015, provides for the transfer of 160,000 persons in clear need of international protection from Italy and Greece to other Member States where their applications for protection will be examined. The programme provides for the relocation of persons on a phased basis over a two year period. Overall only a small percentage of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Communications Surveillance (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Access to communications data under the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011 may only be requested by a senior member of the relevant bodies empowered under the legislation, which includes An Garda Síochána and the Permanent Defence Forces, and then only for the purposes of the investigation of serious offences, the security of the State or the saving of human life. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Promotions (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: My focus and that of the Government over the past 20 months has been to put in place concrete measures to ensure and enhance ongoing public confidence in policing in Ireland, while continuing to support the men and women of An Garda Síochána in their day-to-day work of keeping our communities and country safe. This means firstly overseeing reform of the administration,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda Stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in conjunction with the newly established Policing Authority, in the context of annual policing plans, as provided for in section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended. The Garda District and Station Rationalisation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is referring to the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach. I have repeatedly emphasised that the Independent Review Mechanism was not established to act as a Commission of Inquiry or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Transfers (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that an application for repatriation, from the person referred to, has been received and is being dealt with accordingly. It is not possible to provide a precise timeline in respect of individual applications, due to the number of parties involved in the process. The individual will be kept informed directly of any developments in his case as they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Military Aircraft Landings (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The current assessment of the threat to Ireland from international terrorism is that while an attack here is possible, it is unlikely and there is no specific information that an attack on Ireland is planned. The level of threat from this source is kept under constant review by An Garda Síochána, particularly in the light of ongoing developments and the current international...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, following my meeting with the Stardust Victims Committee last year I appointed an official in my Department to liaise with them in relation to matters about which they have expressed concern. A researcher associated with the Stardust Victims' Committee submitted material relating to these events to my Department and a meeting was held with them and another...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Military Aircraft Landings (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The assessment of the threat posed to Ireland by international terrorism is a matter for An Garda Síochána. The current assessment of the threat level from international terrorism is that although an attack on lreland is possible it is considered unlikely. I keep the Government informed on a regular basis on security matters on the basis of the routine briefings I receive from the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Migrant Integration (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the proposals regarding regularisation which have been put forward by the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland and I have met with their representatives, as have my officials, on a non-committal basis, to give them the opportunity of elaborating their proposals at first hand. I also acknowledge that a good deal of thought has gone into the proposals. However I have no plans...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is referring to the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach. I have repeatedly emphasised that the Independent Review Mechanism was not established to act as a Commission of Inquiry or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has led a Working Group of Justice Sector officials to consider options for moving forward on the proposal to establish a Community Court and the group met a number of times during 2015. Building on the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, the Working Group has been working up proposals enhancing our approach to tackling low...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (27 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí who have departed from An Garda Síochána owing to voluntary retirement, compulsory retirement, cost neutral early retirement, medical discharge, and resignation, was 281 in 2015. This Government is committed to renewing An Garda Síochána to ensure that it has the capacity to deliver...