Results 8,001-8,020 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am advised that the record in question was previously considered as not suitable for release by the Irish Prison Service.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the person referred to by the Deputy has requested copies of files relating to him and held by the Irish Prison Service on a number of occasions. I am further advised that he has received a copy of the letter from the Prisons Personnel Section to the Governor of Portlaoise Prison and the subsequent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, every State has a duty to protect its borders and to refuse entry to people not entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Guardian Status (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: Delivering family justice more effectively is a priority for me and is a major element of my Justice Plan 2022. My Department has engaged academic experts to conduct research for the purpose of a review by my Department of the operation of the provisions of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 relating to guardianship of children whose parents are not married or in a civil partnership....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Airport Security (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy, however this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. The allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands. This includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP is wholly independent in her functions under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended) and, as Minister, I have no role in the operations, governance or oversight of the Office of the Director, which is funded through the Vote of the Department of the Taoiseach.  As a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Equality Issues (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to ensuring that the range of services and supports we provide meet the needs of those who engage with my Department and its agencies. As the Deputy may be aware, my Department launched its first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy in March 2022. The Strategy aims to strengthen the Department’s capacity...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Serious Crime Review Team was established in 2007 under the direction of Detective Chief Superintendent, Garda National Bureau of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: At the outset, I would like to acknowledge the pain and trauma experienced by all families of missing persons. I am deeply conscious of how difficult life is for loved ones who simply don't know what has happened to their relative. My Department is committed to working with all relevant state bodies to help more families find their missing relatives. As the Deputy will appreciate, in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gangland Crime (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 550 and 558 together. The continued disruption of the supply of all illicit drugs remains a priority for An Garda Síochána and the other State agencies tasked with responsibilities in this regard. A concerted effort has been made over the past two years to ensure that the detection and prevention of these types of criminal activity have not been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 552 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the restricting of a person’s liberty is a serious issue, given the Constitutional presumption that a person is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. While the State’s bail laws do provide for the refusal of bail in certain circumstances, the presiding judge is entirely independent in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Abuse (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Government takes the issue of sexual exploitation of children very seriously and there is comprehensive legislation in place to deal with these offences. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act was enacted in early 2017. It is a wide-ranging piece of legislation which significantly enhances laws to combat the sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.  Specific offences...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand. 

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have all the necessary resources to tackle all forms of criminality that affects our communities and has allocated An Garda Síochána with an unprecedented budget of over €2 billion for 2022. As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am advised by the Garda authorities that at 31 May 2022, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am advised by the Garda authorities that to ensure that Garda members can safely and effectively carry...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, there are two categories of legal aid; civil legal aid and criminal legal aid. The provision of civil legal aid in the State is delivered by the independent Legal Aid Board pursuant to the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995, as amended, and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2017. The Board also provides family mediation services and operates 30 full-time law centres...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: A non-EEA national does not necessarily need to become a naturalised Irish citizen before they can access employment in the State. Any person, during the five years reckonable residence required for naturalisation, may have been able to seek employment having been granted an immigration permission from my Department that permits employment, or upon being granted an employment permit from the...