Results 8,821-8,840 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (29 Sep 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 that, as of the 31 July 2015 the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Refurbishment (29 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that they are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (29 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to 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. A panel consisting of two Senior and five Junior Counsel was established for the purpose, all selected on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (29 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person mentioned was registered in the State as a Student from 11/11/2009 to 22/02/2015. As this person is from a country that is subject to an Irish visa requirement for the purposes of travelling to the State they must apply for an entry visa. Information regarding visa applications is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Trafficking (29 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: On 23 September, I published the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015, as approved by Government. The Bill provides for two new offences of purchasing sexual services, in the context of prostitution. The purpose of these offences is to target the demand for prostitution. The first is a general offence of paying to engage in sexual activity with a prostitute which carries a penalty of a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (29 Sep 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. The Deputy will appreciate that this practice, which has been followed by my predecessors, arises for sound security reasons. The Deputy will be aware that the legislative basis for the carrying out of covert surveillance is the Criminal Justice (Surveillance)...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (29 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that my Department has been in correspondence with the person concerned, regarding the matters raised on numerous occasions. The position of my Department has been extensively outlined in this correspondence and the person concerned has been informed that no further action is to be taken in this case. However if the person concerned wishes to submit additional,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (29 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I informed the Deputy in response to Parliamentary Question 597 of 2015, the issuing of notification letters to complainants commenced on 29 June. To date, notification letters have issued to 132 complainants. In all cases I have accepted the recommendation of counsel. A number of cases have resulted in recommendations for further action which I have accepted, including referral to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Administration (29 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the queuing issues that have arisen at the Garda Síochána National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), Registration Office in Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 and my Department is working with the GNIB to alleviate the matter. The following arrangements are now in place in an effort to improve throughput and relieve the congestion in the public office that occurs at this time of the year...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed Circuit Television Systems (29 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: CCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention, and as aids to policing in areas to which the general public routinely have access such as town centres, fall into two distinct categories: Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems. Garda CCTV systems are planned and implemented on the basis of An Garda Síochána's identified operational needs and priorities....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (29 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I recently announced fundamental long term reforms of firearms licensing including the establishment of a new Firearms Assessment and Appeals Authority. The primary function of the Authority will be to determine, on the basis of an objective assessment of all the issues, with safety of the public being paramount, whether particular forms of firearms may be licensed in the State, whether...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (29 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. In this regard the Deputy will be aware that the Garda Síochána carried out a comprehensive review of its district and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Migrant Integration (29 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the Government has established an Inter-Departmental and Inter-Agency Task Force to coordinate Ireland's response to this migrant crisis. The accommodation facilities that will be required to meet these challenges will take into account the specific location of the facility, the suitability of the accommodation, the range of services available locally and the...

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Referral to Select Committee (24 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality pursuant to Standing Order 82A(3)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business and paragraph (8) of the Orders of Reference of Select Committees.

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank all Deputies who contributed to today's debate on the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015, which establishes the new policing authority that is at the core of the Government's reform plans and represents the most far-reaching reform of the Garda Síochána since the foundation of the State. Any detailed reading of the Bill...

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: We meet almost daily.

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hi.

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is ridiculous.

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The establishment of an independent policing authority represents a key element of the Government's comprehensive programme of justice reform and delivers on the commitment I made when I assumed my present office to deliver a sea change in the oversight of policing in the State. The overall objective of the programme is to bring forward...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (24 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned. These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully...