Results 7,601-7,620 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: From the Seanad (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would be obliged if, in accordance with Standing Oder 140, the Ceann Comhairle directed the Clerk to make the following minor drafting corrections to the text of the Bill: on page 83, line 36, the words "a partner of or an employee in" should be replaced with the words "a partner in or an employee of". It is a tiny textual change. On page 99, line 32, the word "section" should be replaced...

Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: From the Seanad (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Part 8 of the Bill deals with new business models provided for under the Bill. These are legal partnerships, which will come into effect in the second six months of next year, multidisciplinary practices, limited liability partnerships, LLPs, which are allowed for and dealt with in the Bill, and employment opportunities for barristers. The Bill as already amended in the Dáil provides...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Overtime (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and in that context I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Overtime Budget Allocations, including supplementary estimate provisions, for An Garda Síochána in 2013 and 2014 and the actual amounts incurred in these years are as follows: Year - €m Budget - €m Expenditure - €m 2013...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Controls (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: In relation to persons seeking to obtain re-entry visas, I would inform the Deputy that a new on-line appointments service for re-entry visas was introduced on 11 November, 2016 allowing applicants to make appointments prior to attending the Public Office. Applicants wishing to apply in person for a re-entry visa now make an appointment on-line, and are seen at the confirmed date and time....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Recruitment competitions to An Garda Síochána are open to all who meet the eligibility criteria which are set out in the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. The recruitment campaign for 2016 for full-time members of An Garda Síochána, which I announced recently, includes a special stream for eligible members of the Garda Reserve. As...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the recruitment and training of the Garda Reserve is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I as Minister have no direct role in the matter. Applications to become a members of the Garda Reserve can currently be made through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) website. PAS process applications on behalf of An Garda Síochána, and admission to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including new probationer Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep 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 resources. This Government...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that if the person concerned has made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection in the State, the Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice to comment on such applications until they have fully completed the Protection Process. This is in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Refugee Act,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Costs (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions to settle cases involve a careful balancing of the circumstances pertaining in the case, including consideration of legal advice, with a view to limiting the State's exposure to further costs or expense. I am satisfied that the correct procedures in the case raised by the Deputy were followed in deciding to settle the proceedings.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (9 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. In 2014, this Government rended the moratorium on Garda recruitment introduced...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will know, the Coroners Bill 2007 provides for a comprehensive reform of the Coroners Act 1962 and of the existing coroner system, including the establishment of a new Coroner Service. It incorporates many of the recommendations made by the Coroners Review Group in 2000, and by the Coroners Rules Committee in 2003, as well as a detailed review of reforms to coronial systems in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Law (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: In September, I published the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015. The Bill provides for two new offences of purchasing sexual services in the context of prostitution. The purpose of these offences is to target the demand for prostitution. These proposals have been developed following extensive consultation, and implement the recommendation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Legislation (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Garda authorities that members of An Garda Síochána have the power to require a vehicle in a public place to stop under Section 109 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, and that failure by the driver to do so is an offence. I am further advised that mechanically propelled vehicles used in a public place must comply with the Road Traffic Acts, including in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Application Numbers (9 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the Legal Aid Board is independent in the exercise of its functions, in accordance with Section 3 (3) of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1994. As a result, I am not responsible or accountable to the Dáil for the manner in which the Board carries out its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I can inform her that the information sought is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (8 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 Courts Service Vote for 2015 is €107.965 million which is an increase of €2.0 million on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service Expenditure (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the provision of legal aid falls within two separate categories, that is, civil legal aid and criminal legal aid. Details in respect of each category are outlined below. Criminal Legal Aid The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means. Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Legal Services Regulation Bill, which is scheduled to complete its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas this week, gives legislative expression to the commitment in the programme for Government to "establish independent regulation of the legal professions to improve access and competition, make legal costs more transparent and ensure adequate procedures for addressing consumer...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have asked the Garda authorities for the information requested and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting Applications (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that a vetting application in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers was received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit on 12 November 2015. The application was processed and returned to the registered organisation on 25 November 2015. It would be advisable for the applicant to contact the registered organisation to ascertain the current position.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Refurbishment (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I am advised by the Commissioner that the male and female toilets at Coolock Garda Station were refurbished in 2014.