Results 8,061-8,080 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (25 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer the Deputy to my response to his Parliamentary Question No. 124 of Thursday, 12 November 2015 in relation to the person concerned. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Paramilitary Groups (25 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 to 153, inclusive, together. I am aware of the incidents to which the Deputy refers in her question. I would say at the outset that these incidents took place in the context of a period in the history of this island involving campaigns of violence undertaken by paramilitary groups. Many people lost their lives over the course of the troubles and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Terrorism (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The recent terrorist attacks in Paris and the follow-on events in France and Belgium have focused Europe's attention very firmly on the threat from extremists linked to the conflict in Iraq and Syria. The subsequent attack in Mali clearly demonstrates the truly international dimensions of this issue. While these events have been truly shocking they cannot be allowed to undermine the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Registration Authority Administration (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Data (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. In that context I am informed by the Commissioner that the information requested in relation to the number of vehicles in operation in Co. Tipperary, and during the period 2011-2014, is shown in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms and Ammunition Security (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that An Garda Síochána tackles the issue of illegal firearms on a daily basis at both local and national levels through a range of targeted and intelligence based operations, often disrupting and preventing incidents, as well as detecting and prosecuting those involved. Heavy penalties are provided for weapons offences in our criminal law and mandatory...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have sought an up to date report from the Garda authorities in relation to the statistical information sought by the Deputy, and I will contact her directly when the Garda report is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Legislation (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the issues raised in the correspondence in question in relation to the layout and provision of cycle tracks are matters for the relevant local authority. I am advised that members of An Garda Síochána enforce road traffic legislation as it applies to cyclists as part of their normal duties on an ongoing basis. In addition to the day to day enforcement...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no plans to increase custody capacity in response to the introduction of the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill. As the Deputy is aware the Irish Prison Service collates and publishes the prisoner population breakdown, including those on temporary release, on a daily basis and this information is available on the Irish Prison Service...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific criminal sentences that have been imposed. In this regard the courts are independent in matters of sentencing and, as in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. In respect of sentencing, the position is that the law generally sets...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy may be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. The Act provides that the Service is independent in the performance of its functions, including the provision of courthouse facilities. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquires made and the Courts Service has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The particular case to which the Deputy refers is amongst those considered under the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach, or other public representatives with a view to determining to what extent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (24 Nov 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: Personal Insolvency Act (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy's question relates to section 21 of the Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Act 2015, which inserts into the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 a new section 115A introducing the opportunity for a person to apply for independent review by the Courts if their proposal for a PIA (Personal Insolvency Arrangement), including the mortgage on their home, is rejected by their creditors. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (24 Nov 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. In relation to the matters referred to, I have requested the CSO to provide the information directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Data (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. To date in 2015 the following Dublin Garda Districts have received Garda public order vans: Public Order Vans District Total Raheny 1 Tallaght 1 Blanchardstown 1 Total: 3 An additional 7...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Tribunals of Inquiry Expenditure (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that in 2015 provision of €1.1m was made for costs associated with the Morris Tribunal and provision of €5.4m was made for the Smithwick Tribunal. Costs incurred up to the 31 December 2014 are approximately €66.6m for the Morris Tribunal and €13.4m for the Smithwick Tribunal. There are outstanding costs in respect of both the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Controls (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is open first and foremost to any foreign national, who finds him or herself in an undocumented situation, to return to their home country and apply to re-enter the State. If people are unwilling to do this they have the option to approach the immigration authorities to seek permission to remain in the State. Such cases would be carefully considered, taking the all relevant circumstances...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, 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. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (24 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide the available statistical information directly to the Deputy.