Results 7,941-7,960 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the publication of recorded crime statistics. I have requested the CSO to provide the available statistics in relation to the matters referred to directly to the Deputy. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 disputed issues. It will also provide that a court may, following the commencement of any such...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Operation Thor is a multi-stranded national operation which builds on previous and current Garda operations to tackle crime, particularly burglaries the number of which, as we know, increase with the advent of the long winter nights, in both urban and rural communities nationwide. In excess of €5 million is being committed to support Operation Thor. This allocation, which includes...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Controls (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The recent appalling attacks in Paris and elsewhere, inspired by ISIL, bring a sharp focus to bear on the potential threat that states face from violent extremists. The current assessment of the threat to Ireland from this source is that while an attack here is possible, it is unlikely and there is no specific information at present that an attack on Ireland is planned. However, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Operation Thor is a multi-stranded national operation which builds on previous and current Garda operations to tackle crime, particularly burglaries the number of which, as we know, increase with the advent of the long winter nights, in both urban and rural communities nationwide. In excess of €5 million is being committed to support Operation Thor. This allocation, which includes...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Agreements (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The European Commission launched a visa liberalisation dialogue with Turkey on 16 December 2013, in parallel with the signature of an agreement between the European Union (EU) and Turkey on readmission of irregular migrants. A road-map of reforms to be undertaken by Turkey prior to the completion of visa liberalisation was agreed between the EU and Turkey as part of the process. I understand...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Terrorism (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 307 and 308 together. Taking measures to combat terrorism is a shared priority for the Member States of the European Union and discussion on these issues have been at the top of the agenda at my regular meetings with my EU counterparts. The Justice and Home Affairs Council held an emergency meeting in the week following the appalling attacks in Paris on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Schengen Agreement (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Schengen Agreement is an agreement among certain European Member States. The Agreement allows for the abolition of systematic border controls between participating countries. It also includes provisions on common policy on the temporary entry of people (including the Schengen visa), the harmonisation of external border controls and cross-border police and judicial co-operation. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Racism Measures (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and elsewhere have given rise to considerable and understandable concerns both in Ireland and across Europe. It is fortunate that in Ireland there appears to be little tolerance for the open expression of extremist views directed against individuals and minority groups. It is recognised that certain media, and in particular,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will understand that it is not the practice for sound reasons of security to comment on the security or security arrangements of individual diplomatic missions in the State. I can inform the Deputy, however, that An Garda Síochána liaises on an ongoing basis with diplomatic missions.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Compensation (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 to 314, inclusive, together. The Garda Compensation Acts 1941 and 1945 provide for compensation for malicious injury or death inflicted upon members of An Garda Siochana, while they are on duty or related to their service as such members. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide the Deputy with the breakdown of claims as requested above. Records are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: An enhanced post study pathway for graduates has been available to non-EEA Students since October 2010 under which students graduating with an Irish accredited honours bachelor degree or higher can avail of a 12 month Graduate Scheme permission. This operates as an extension to their student permission and the holder can work full time during that period. Full details are published in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Taxi Regulations (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The regulation of the Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSV) industry, which includes taxis, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. I am informed by the Garda authorities that specific initiatives targeting the SPSV industry, including checking PSV licences and other matters relating to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Statutory provision in relation to young offenders is set out in the Children Act 2001 (as amended). Accordingly, where a young person under the age of 18 comes into conflict with the law, the principles of the Act apply. A key principle in the Children Act relating to young offenders is that detention should be a last resort. In support of this principle, the legislation facilitates...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Civil Debt (Procedures) Act 2015 is to be commenced in two phases. The provisions which relate to the abolition of imprisonment of debtors will be commenced once the required amendments can be made to the relevant Rules of Court, which I anticipate will be made early in 2016. The remaining provisions, concerning attachment of earnings and deductions from social welfare payments, will be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders Re-examination (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 8 March 2011. However, if new information or circumstances have come to light, which has a direct bearing on their case, and which have arisen since the original Deportation Order was made, there remains the option of a request...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Remuneration (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: My colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, yesterday signed the order to commence the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015. The Act gives effect to the provisions of the Lansdowne Road Agreement and starts the process of the phased restoration of remuneration to public servants in accordance with the terms of that Agreement. I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Terrorism (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I have stated to the House previously, Ireland, in common with other democratic states, cannot consider that it is immune from the threat from international terrorism. The current assessment is that while an attack here is possible, it is unlikely and there is no specific information that an attack here is planned. The level of threat from this source is kept under constant review by An...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: At the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 20 November 2015, the Council reiterated its view on the urgency and the priority in finalising agreement on the proposal for an EU Passenger Named Records (PNR) Directive before the end of 2015. In particular, the Council emphasised that the Directive should include internal EU flights in its scope, provide for a sufficiently long period during...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (1 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that my Department has been in correspondence with the person concerned. The position of my Department has been extensively outlined in this correspondence and the person concerned has been informed that no further action can be taken in this case. However if the person concerned wishes to submit additional, pertinent information, which they have not previously...