Results 8,521-8,540 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (20 Oct 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 continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I have outlined in my response to other parliamentary questions today, and elsewhere, as Minister for Justice and Equality I am determined to tackle rural crime and to ensure that those on the frontline have the legislation and resources to do so effectively. My approach is focussed on two key objectives; strengthening the law to get tougher on serious and repeat offenders, principally...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 website (www.irishprisons.ie). The Programme for Government outlines the commitment of this Government to finding alternatives to custody as a means of reducing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources. This Government is committed to the ongoing recruitment of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing of Events (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that An Garda Síochána does not routinely collect the policing costs of every operation as it would use a disproportionate amount of Garda time and effort to extract...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Tackling rural crime and burglaries remains a top priority for the Government and for An Garda Síochána. I am in close contact with the Garda Commissioner to ensure that the policing response is effective and that Garda operations take account of evolving trends and patterns in burglary offences, both in rural and urban areas. In recent times, Garda strategy to counter...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am of course very conscious of the serious impact of the theft of equipment and livestock and similar crimes on farm families and rural communities. My response, as Minister for Justice and Equality, to crime in both rural and urban areas, and burglaries in particular, is focussed on two key objectives; strengthening the law to get tougher on serious and repeat offenders, principally...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Opening Hours (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions in relation to the allocation of Garda resources, including station opening hours, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of her operational responsibilities and I as Minister have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keep the allocation of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that road traffic legislation, including the relevant provisions for the prohibition of driving while under the influence of an intoxicant or of exceeding alcohol limits, is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. All members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with the enforcement of relevant legislation,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Communications Surveillance (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose details of any authorisations to intercept, including their number. The Deputy will appreciate that this practice, which has been followed by my predecessors, arises for sound security reasons. Furthermore, Section 12 of the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has developed a multi-agency approach to road safety through the involvement of a number of agencies working in partnership. While significant efforts are devoted to addressing the issues referred to by the Deputy, it is important to note that the system of fixed charge notices and penalty points have formed a key part in Ireland's Road Safety Strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deaths in Prison (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I take this opportunity to offer my sympathy to the families concerned on their loss. I would also like to thank the Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly, for his very comprehensive investigations and report into the deaths in custody of the prisoners concerned. Both reports were published on 25 September, 2015 and are available on my Department's website: www.justice.ie. Since 1...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Visiting Committees (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Prison Visiting Committee members are appointed by the Minister for Justice and Equality under the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act 1925 and Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order 1925. There are fourteen Prison Visiting Committees in existence - one for each institution. Each Visiting Committee comprises no more than six members, and only suitable people with appropriate qualifications...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Social Behaviour (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that I am in ongoing contact with the Garda Commissioner in relation to the measures which are being taken to combat crime and enhance public safety in the city centre area. An Garda Síochána make full use of the extensive range of legislation which is in place to address street crime and anti-social behaviour, including knife crime and drug related crime....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Expenditure (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for controlling the general management and administration of the Force within the context of agreed annual policing plans. This includes the procurement and maintenance of various technologies utilised to support frontline Gardaí and intelligence led operations against organised crime. In that context...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality published in March, 2013 is an important contribution to the debate on penal reform and contains analysis and recommendations which significantly advance the debate on how best to protect society through effective offender management. I published the Report of the Penal Policy Review Group, which took the Joint...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into operation on 15 July, 2014 as part of this Government's comprehensive approach to enhance the protection available to whistle blowers, including Garda whistleblowers. Section 19 of the Act inserted a new provision into the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) to be a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Garda authorities that a comprehensive review into this case has been ongoing since 2011, under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner for the Northern Region. All aspects of the original investigation and subsequent reviews have been examined by the Garda Review Team. As part of the Garda inquiry, a file is currently with the Director of Public Prosecution...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that I am extremely conscious of the impact of burglary on communities throughout the country and am determined to continue to take strong action against the criminals involved. My response to burglaries, and to crime generally, is focussed on two key objectives; strengthening the law to get tougher on serious and repeat offenders and investing in the capacity of An...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (20 Oct 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware from replies to previous PQs that the Programme for Government undertakes to “legislate to establish a Judicial Council, with lay representation, to provide an effective mechanism for dealing with complaints against judges". This commitment is being pursued by way of the proposed Judicial Council Bill which will provide for the establishment of a Judicial...