Results 7,421-7,440 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Group 31, amendments Nos. 92 to 94, inclusive, deals with the issue of prioritisation of cases. Amendment No. 93 is prompted by discussion in the Seanad and Dáil which sought to add categories that would be considered for prioritisation. As “well founded” is not defined in law, we could not proceed with that category but the Government is happy to add to the...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Group 32, amendment No. 97, clarifies the functions which can be performed by persons contracted by the Minister under contracts for services.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Group 33, amendment No. 99, allows for a person, against whom a deportation order is in force and who has completed a prison sentence for a criminal offence, to be arrested and detained for the purpose of bringing him or her directly to a port from the prison and removing him or her from the State.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Group 34, amendments Nos. 100 to 104, inclusive, deals with the common travel area. Amendment No. 100 clarifies that a court can direct the continued detention or conditional release of a person, subject to a deportation order in situations where they are challenging either the validity of the deportation order itself or a subsequent decision by the Minister to affirm the order. Amendment...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is currently much discussion about the integrity of the Schengen area. There is a debate trying to put in place a protection system that would be effective for the thousands of migrants moving into Europe now. There is much discussion about that. The countries in the Schengen area want to protect the integrity of their borders rather than seeing countries putting up walls and...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Before concluding today's proceedings, I would be obliged if in accordance with Standing Order 136, you would direct the Clerk to make the following minor drafting amendment to the text of the Bill. On page 76, line 20, the word "without" should be deleted as the text inserted by amendment No. 99 would have the effect of duplicating this word. This correction is being done in the interests...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cross-Border Co-operation (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 362 together. The new Stormont Agreement, A Fresh Start, provides for a concerted effort on the part of both Governments to tackle cross-border organised crime and criminality including that linked to paramilitarism. The Agreement establishes a new Joint Agency Task Force which will have representatives comprised of senior management and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, I have no direct role in the enforcement of road traffic legislation, which is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. I am, however, advised by the Garda authorities that since 31 July 2015, cycling without reasonable consideration is one of seven offences for which a cyclist may receive a Fixed Charge Notice. I am further informed that, since...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (17 Dec 2015)

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. The unit referred to is known as the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) and is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Horses (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras an Úachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and has a National remit, under the direction and control of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Opening Hours (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have received the information from the Garda Commissioner requested by the Deputy, regarding the opening hours of each Garda station. The information requested is being compiled in the format requested and will be sent to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I have informed the House in response to previous questions on this matter, appointments to the position of Secretary General are a function of Government. The recruitment process is undertaken by the Top Level Appointments Commission (TLAC) through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). I can inform the Deputy that the situation in relation to the Secretary General position in my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (17 Dec 2015)

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 Gardaí...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Data (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, the day to day management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions and I am responsible for ensuring that the Service is adequately funded. The following table sets out actual expenditure for the salaries and expenses for the Courts Service (excluding...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including community Gardaí, 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: Freedom of Information Fees (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that in 2014 my Department received €3,552.15 in fees from FOI requests. This figures encompasses fees for non-personal requests, search and retrieval fees and appeal fees. To-date in 2015 my Department has received €270 in appeal fees. I wish to point out that the reduction in fees is as a result of the revised fee structure provided for in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Programmes (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the Government took a decision to establish the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the EU migrant crisis. Ireland has agreed to accept approximately 4,000 persons in total under resettlement and relocation programmes. The figure of 4,000 includes approximately 2,600 persons to be taken in from migration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 334 together. The Legal Services Regulation Bill, which has this week fully completed its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas, provides at Section 13(2)(a) that it shall be a function of the new Legal Services Regulatory Authority to keep under review, and to make recommendations to the Minister for Justice and Equality, in respect of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Review (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that my Department is currently conducting a wide-ranging review of all matters concerned with the system of judicial appointments. Careful and comprehensive research and consultation are required to develop and reform this very important area of the administration of justice. This is particularly so, given the complexity and extent of existing legislative provisions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (17 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including community Gardaí, 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. The information sought is being compiled...