Results 761-780 of 10,057 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I commend Kieran Rose on the excellent work he has done in this area. He has been in contact with me frequently as well. I would appreciate getting a copy of that research. We are trying to revisit an injustice that was done to people in a different era. It is commendable that there is agreement in the House that this should be done. What we are discussing is the most appropriate...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for her question. One of the most difficult things I have to do as Minister for Justice, and indeed, that the House has to do, is to resolve issues around balancing conflicting constitutional rights. This is an issue where there are conflicting constitutional rights that need to be balanced but, as the Deputy indicated, that balance needs to be shifted legislatively in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I read that Supreme Court decision. One of the points mentioned by the court through Mr. Justice Collins was it was surprising that since 2017, when section 19A was enacted, there has not been a reported judgement on the hearing that should take place in respect of the challenge to counselling notes. I agree with the Deputy that it is very traumatic for someone to know that confidential...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy Gannon for this important question. Due to the rise in our population, it is important that we increase the number of spaces within prison. The Deputy asked me about measures that would increase decarceration and I will come to that presently, but it is important to say that more prison spaces are available in light of the increasing population and the ability of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Since I have been made Minister, I have been to Cork Prison, Cloverhill Prison and I am going to another prison on Monday. I intend to visit every prison, if I am lucky enough to survive in office for a sufficient period of time. It is important that the crisis be addressed. It is being addressed. I know that, to deal with the specific issue the Deputy mentioned about mattresses on the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I know the Deputy did not suggest the issue about releasing serious offenders. As part of my response, though, I have to be able to say that because it is an issue that people can legitimately put to me. Regarding people with addiction, the Deputy is correct. Many of the people who are given prison sentences have addiction issues and chaotic lives. However, part of the reason judges...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: No, a person with no policing experience will not be appointed, or recommended by me rather, for the position of Garda Commissioner. It is also important to emphasise that we have a lot of excellent candidates within An Garda Síochána who should be putting their names forward for the position of Garda Commissioner. As it such a prestigious job at such a well-resourced and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree with the Deputy's position, and that of Sinn Féin, that the standard fund threshold part of the tax system needs to be changed. It is my strong expectation that that will happen. In respect of the numbers within An Garda Síochána, as the Deputy will know from the programme for Government, we have given a commitment that we will seek to get the numbers in An Garda...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for his very important question but I think he will agree with me it fades into insignificance when we consider the terrible events of last weekend and how they affected An Garda Síochána. Like the Deputy no doubt, I want to start these questions by extending my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Garda Kevin Flatley who gave his life in the line...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am absolutely committed to a zero tolerance approach to the scourge of domestic violence and the conditions in which it thrives. In January 2024, the Government established a new domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence agency, Cuan, to coordinate and drive the implementation of the Third National Strategy. I have prioritised this since my appointment as Minister and have already...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My position, and the position of this Government, is that prostitution is inherently exploitative of vulnerable people, mainly women and girls, and that many people are forced into prostitution through trafficking, drug addiction, homelessness and poverty. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 decriminalised the sale of sex, criminalised the purchase of sex, and increased the penalty...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Local Community Safety Partnerships (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The objective of all Local Community Safety Partnerships, including in County Louth, will be to bring the relevant bodies together with communities in a collaborative manner, by focusing on the concerns identified and prioritised by local people. It is the my intention that the LCSPs will be established as soon as is practicable following completion of the regulations. It is worth saying...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people in over 320 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country, about 9,400 of whom are children with their families. As the Deputy will be aware, the system has responded to a sudden and sustained increase in applications over the last three years. By way of illustration, in August 2021, the State was...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Local Community Safety Partnerships (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I acknowledge the Deputy's concerns and I want to repeat that it is absolutely my intention that the Local Community Safety Partnerships will be established as soon as possible following completion of the necessary regulations. The Partnerships are the cornerstone of our policy on community safety and so it's vital we get them up and running so that they can begin work on the development of a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Getting more Gardaí on our streets to prevent crime is my first priority as Minister for Justice. This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. At the end of March, the total Garda personnel strength stood at 18,243, which included...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Electronic Tagging (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am committed to implementing electronic monitoring in line with the commitment set out in the current Programme for Government. Since becoming Minister for Justice. I have demonstrated my commitment to progressing and implementing policies aimed at increasing the use of community sanctions, reducing offending, diverting people away from the criminal justice system, and providing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government is committed to the principle that everyone, wherever they live in Ireland, should be safe. All people should also feel safe as they live or work in our communities. Building safe and secure communities across the country by investing in An Garda Síochána is a top priority for this Government. I want every part of the country to be a safe space for people to live and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government is committed to the principle that everyone, wherever they live in Ireland, should be safe and feel safe. Building safe and secure communities across the country by investing in An Garda Síochána is a top priority in the Programme for Government. I want every part of the country to be a safe space for people to live and work in, and the Clongriffin area in Dublin 13...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised that a total of 400 Gardaí left the service within five years of joining in the past ten years, as of 9 May 2025. There were none recorded in 2015. The breakdown for 2016 to 2025 is as follows: 2016 12 2017 8 2018 26 2019 41 2020 42 2021 63 2022 59 2023 68 2024 65 2025 16 I am advised that, while these figures are largely accounted for by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised that the Courts Service purchased a site in 2020, at Kylekiproe, on which to build a new Courthouse. Further progress in relation to the Portlaoise project and several others, as part of Courts Service building projects included in the National Development Plan (NDP), will depend on the next round of NDP funding. The Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future,...