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Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: With the agreement of the House, I will probably give a lengthy response if that is okay because I do want to respond-----

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I will not take that long. I promise.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I appreciate that there have been a lot of contributions, not just today but last week as well. I also appreciate the views that have been shared and recognise that these are complex, varied and different. I will set out some clear facts and try to respond to many of the comments and statements made and questions posed over the past week. What we are proposing here is not radical. It is...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: Reference was made this afternoon to J.K. Rowling. I have read her commentary and have seen a lot of what she said. Again, she would not be prosecuted under this legislation. Identities described in this House as nonsense - a person's ability to identify in whatever way they so wish - is not hate speech. I might not like what is said in that way, and many others might not like it, but it...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank them and acknowledge the work they have done in contributing and taking part in the overall consultation of this. As I mentioned at the outset of this debate, it is common legislative practice to have different meanings and terms in different Acts specific to the purpose of the legislation in question. This is referring to gender for the purposes of this Bill. It is provided that,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Jun 2023)

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: Visa Applications (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: Ireland’s Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill short term labour gaps for the benefit of our economy. In recognition of the importance of frontline medical personnel, the AWS Unit prioritises these applications. There has been an unprecedented demand for AWS permissions this year, with a significant increase in the number...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the coroner is an independent quasi-judicial office holder whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. This is an important public service to the living and in particular to the next-of-kin and friends of the deceased. Coroners not only provide closure for those bereaved, but also perform a wider...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Pathology Service (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Office of the State Pathologist (OSP) provides the State with a national forensic pathology service and a forensic pathologist is on duty, twenty-four hours a day, each day of the year. In response to the Deputy, the budget allocation for the OSP from 2021 to 2023 is set out below. Budget allocation for OSP 2021 -2023 - 2021 2022 2023 ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Bench Warrants (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I understand that the Deputy is seeking the number of warrants issued by the Courts under Schedule 6, Order 25, Paragraph 2 of Statutory Instrument 41 of 1998 - District Court (Criminal Justice) Rules 1998. As the Deputy is aware, court proceedings are under the remit of the Courts Service. Management of the courts are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The role of the Psychology Service in the Irish Prison Service is to deliver, develop and manage an integrated mental health and criminogenic needs assessment and treatment service for people in custody, in line with service plans and objectives and within established professional standards, guidelines and policy. I am informed that the Irish Prison Service currently employ various...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Jun 2023)

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: Citizenship Applications (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I wish to inform the Deputy that a decision issued to the person concerned by registered post on 23 May 2023. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed in line with the eligibility criteria as set out under the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can confirm to the Deputy that an invitation to attend the recent Citizenship Ceremonies did issue to the person cited. Unfortunately, it appears the recorded contact details were incorrect but my officials have now amended same. Officials in Citizenship Division of my Department have informed me that the person concerned will receive an invitation to the next ceremony later this year....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (21 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. A person subject to a Deportation Order has no legal basis to remain in the State. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Development Projects (20 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Community Safety Innovation Fund, was established in April 2021 by myself and the Minister for Public Expenditure to allow proceeds of crime to be directed into community projects to support community safety. The fund was allocated €2 million under Budget 2022. The funding was increased to €3 million for 2023, with the call for applications...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (20 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy held a Stamp 1G immigration permission which expired on 7 November 2022. The Stamp 1G Graduate scheme was developed for the purpose of enabling a beneficiary to seek graduate level employment and to apply for an employment permit through the Department of Enterprise, Trade or Employment. The Stamp is granted to ensure that such students are making...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act, 1996. The Bureau has staff drawn from An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners (including Customs), the Department of Social Protection and my Department. The Bureau’s remit is to target the assets, wherever...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I understand Parliamentary Question No. 476 of 16 May refers to the amount that An Garda Síochána spent on hiring crowd control barriers in 2022 and to-date in 2023. 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (20 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: At the meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council on 8 June 2023, Ministers reached agreement on two key measures under the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which is aimed at creating a fairer, more efficient and more sustainable migration and asylum systems across the EU. The challenges in this area can only be effectively addressed by a cohesive, integrated approach with all Member...