Results 7,361-7,380 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The position is that the Mediation Bill, which is currently being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, will introduce an obligation on solicitors and barristers to advise any person intending to commence legal proceedings to give consideration to using mediation as an alternative means of resolving disputes. It is intended that this will help to reduce recourse to the courts,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting of Personnel (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the primary purpose of the Garda employment vetting service is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. Accordingly, the vetting process demands rigorous procedures to safeguard its integrity and to maintain the highest level of confidence by the public and organisations availing of the service. Full vetting checks are conducted by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of a certificate of naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Custody and Access (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Certain provisions of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 will be commenced imminently, including key reforms to the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, which is the legislation governing guardianship and custody of, and access to children. In particular, the reforms include the insertion of new sections - sections 18A to 18D - in the 1964 Act. These provisions allow the court to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 Garda resources. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Garda stations...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy and have asked officials of my Department to examine the original papers on the matter. Obviously the approach taken by the State in the 1930’s to such matters is very different to what we would do today. There are a number of aspects to consider including an examination of the legislation as it existed at the time.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy and have asked officials of my Department to examine the original papers on the matter. Obviously the approach taken by the State in the 1930’s to such matters is very different to what we would do today. There are a number of aspects to consider including an examination of the legislation as it existed at the time.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Student Visas Applications (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that student visa applications are generally processed within 8 weeks from the date on which the application is lodged at the Visa Office/Embassy/Consulate. Processing times can vary over the year and between countries due to volumes received. In addition, some applications may take longer to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Student Visas Applications (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the immigration regime for international students from non-EEA countries is under continuous review and my Department works closely with the Department of Education and Skills in this regard. The objective is to develop Ireland's international education sector on the basis of quality. In May of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Student Visas Administration (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there are eight dedicated INIS visa offices in operation. They are located in Dublin, China, India, Nigeria, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Student visa applications are processed in each of these offices. The Dublin Visa Office processes applications that have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (13 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 the context of annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. In this regard the Deputy will be aware that the Garda Síochána carried out a comprehensive review of its district and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: In relation to the matter referred to I have requested a report from the Garda authorities and I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting of Personnel (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The current average processing time for vetting applications is four weeks. However, in some individual cases additional enquiries may be necessary and this may result in processing times in excess of the average. Any vetting process will take a certain minimum amount of time to complete and, taking into account the need to protect children and vulnerable adults while providing an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (13 Jan 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. The allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources. As with all other Divisions, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 that the current number of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 that the number of stations and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that since 1 August 2009, all firearm certificates are issued for a period of three years from the date of grant, unless otherwise revoked. The only exception to three year firearm certificates are firearm certificates granted to non residents of this state which issue for a period of one year from the date of grant. A non resident may apply to the Superintendent of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Living Wage (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Standard procurement terms and conditions for goods and services are prepared by the Chief State Solicitor and published by the Office of Government Procurement. These ensure that public service organisations fully discharge their legal obligations including those under employment law. Acceptance of these conditions is a qualification requirement before vendors can be awarded a contract by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Refurbishment (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance, I have had enquiries made and I am informed that the Courts Service is very aware of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Refurbishment (13 Jan 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance, I have had enquiries made and I am informed that the Courts Service is very aware of the...