Results 8,621-8,640 of 17,498 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the development and implementation of road traffic legislation and policy, including the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, and the promotion and advancement of road safety, falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport. I can inform the Deputy that the current Traffic Watch facility allows for members of the public to report driver...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the National Violence Reduction Unit (NVRU) is in operation since 2018. It is based in the Midlands Prison, but operates separately as a National Unit. It is a co-led unit, jointly managed by an Assistant Governor (Operational Lead) and Senior Psychologist (Clinical Lead). The NVRU was established in order to provide an enhanced,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, nor can I direct the Commissioner with regard to them. However, I am informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ concerning the closure on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-invest...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Traffic Fines (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the management of the Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS). As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am however assured that road traffic enforcement remains a core policing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. The International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department is responsible for examining all international protection applications received. The staff of the IPO are independent by law in the exercise of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 490, 491, 492, 493 and 494 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the Government is committed to facilitating easier, speedier access to justice for businesses and individuals, part of which involves addressing the issue of costs associated with accessing the legal system. The Report of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice (known as the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: A non-visa required national may seek to enter and reside in the State on visitors conditions for up to 90 days at a time without applying for residency or for a visa. The Immigration officer at the port of entry will determine, on each occasion, whether they may enter and the duration permission to remain granted. If the person is from a Visa required country, they can apply for a short stay...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 497, 498 and 555 together. As the Deputy is aware, this once in a generation scheme was designed to give long-term undocumented residents the opportunity to regularise their status, access the labour market legally and begin their path to citizenship. It has provided an opportunity for those who meet its criteria to remain and reside in the State and to become...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate complete information as requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, nor can I direct the Commissioner with regard to them. The Government is committed to building...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, I published the majority report and the minority report of the Independent Review Group appointed to examine all aspects of the Offences Against the State Acts on 21 June following consideration by Government. The Acts are Ireland's primary counter-terrorism legislation. They have and continue to serve the State well in tackling subversives and organised crime and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: Trespass is a civil wrong and, for the most part, falls to be addressed by means of a civil remedy. Trespass may be dealt with under criminal law in certain circumstances and a range of offences are provided for in legislation. There is already robust legislation in place in relation to trespass and I have, therefore, no plans to change the law in this regard, but the situation will be kept...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Priorities (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: At the outset, I again want to record my sympathy for all those affected by issues arising from CervicalCheck. I have previously met with the 221+ Patient Support Group and they explained their concerns to me in relation to a number of matters, including issues raised by the Morrissey v HSE case relating to the Civil Liability Act 1961. In the Morrissey v HSE case, the Supreme Court held...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to ensuring that people are safe and feel safe in their communities. The Commission on the Future of Policing recognised that community safety is not solely the responsibility of the Gardaí, or my Department alone, rather it is a whole of Government responsibility. This is central to both the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill and my Department's...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to improving safety and wellbeing for the community in Drogheda. As the Deputy will be aware, the Drogheda Implementation Plan outlines 73 actions to support community safety and chart a path to improved community wellbeing in and around Drogheda. The Drogheda Plan is an example of the power of cooperation and community. We are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that every visa application which is processed at first instance receives a detailed and systematic examination. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on our website. Applicants that follow these guidelines have an improved...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion to the Garda Vote this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles. This level of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Adult Caution Scheme is a non-statutory scheme agreed between, and administered by, An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions. Both the Garda Commissioner and the Director of Public Prosecutions are independent in their functions and I, as Minister, have no role in the setting of criteria used when administering the Scheme. However, I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: European Council (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, wrote to all Member States in advance of the European Council on the topic of migration, addressing the recent tragic loss of life in the Mediterranean, as well as the need to make progress on a number of fronts to ensure that people do not continue to undertake perilous journeys to reach the European Union. The letter provided...