Results 781-800 of 9,106 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Communications (6 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In keeping with the Government commitment to significantly enhance the delivery of public services digitally, phase one of my Department's Immigration Digital Contact Centre (DCC) went live in October 2024. The DCC is a self-service portal that enables applicants to check their immigration application status, book first-time registration appointments, and submit queries. The DCC has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (6 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that I intend to publish the guidelines for Section 16 naturalisation applications in the coming weeks. These new guidelines are being developed in the interests of fair and transparent procedures and comprehensive decision making. They will provide clarity to both applicants and decision-makers on what factors may be considered when deciding whether to waive such...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (5 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: At the outset, it is important to note that, as Minister, I do not comment on individual Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) applications. The 'applicant' in the IIP process is the proposed investor and not the project owner. The State has no responsibility in relation to the delivery of any project or the performance of an investment under the Programme; these are a private matter between...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís (5 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Laistigh de chroílár na Roinne tá 2409 ball foirne. Is féidir liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfuil Oifigeach/Aistritheoir lánaimseartha Gaeilge fostaithe ag mo Roinn agus go bhfuil 28 ball foirne eile ar fáil chun seirbhísí a sholáthar trí mheán na Gaeilge. Ón mbliain 2006 i leith, le tosach feidhme a Scéime...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (5 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Programme for Government commits to updating our licensing laws, with the specific provisions to be considered as part of the Government’s Legislative Programme in due course. This work is underway in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Substance Misuse (5 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (5 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) that they provide a health care service for people in custody with addictions in a structured, safe and professional manner in line with international best practice. The IPS continues to be committed to, and involved with, the National Drugs Strategy in partnership with community colleagues and organisations. It is the policy of the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (5 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Citizenship Division of my Department have taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are dramatically reducing processing times. The median processing time for a decision on an application in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (5 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, particularly considering the current processing times. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (5 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, particularly considering the current processing times. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (5 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Policing and Community Safety: Statements (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Yes. The Deputy might give me his name after the debate.

Policing and Community Safety: Statements (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I know it well.

Policing and Community Safety: Statements (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Thank you.

Policing and Community Safety: Statements (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: There are six Deputies present. As I was saying, this is an important debate and I would appreciate it if people would listen to what we are saying. There is an important message that the Government wants to put out. As I said, I will be unhesitatingly supportive of An Garda Síochána in the pursuit of law and order. I ask other Members of the House to be supportive of An Garda...

Policing and Community Safety: Statements (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Maybe I am driving people away. We have five.

Policing and Community Safety: Statements (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Will I continue then? We have five with the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. This is a serious debate; it is an important debate. Policing and safety in our community comprise one of the issues raised with me and my colleagues most regularly by constituents and I do not believe it should be used as an opportunity for playacting or trying to use the rules for some short-term political gain. If we...

Policing and Community Safety: Statements (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome the fact that Members have come in. The point I was making is that we need to be aware of what people expect of our justice system and policing in our community. People expect that, if there is criminal activity, An Garda Síochána will investigate it promptly. They also expect that, if there is suspicion of criminal activity and there is sufficient evidence, it will be...

Policing and Community Safety: Statements (4 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: This is the first opportunity I have had to address the House since the Leas-Cheann Comhairle was elected. I want to do publicly what I have done privately and congratulate him on his election. He has a reputation for representing the interests of Members of this House fearlessly, and that will serve him well in the office of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I wish all the best in the future.