Results 8,981-9,000 of 17,498 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, Ireland’s National Action Plan against Racism2023-2027, a whole of government approach to eradicating racism in society, launched in March of this year. Developed by an independent Anti-Racism Committee, the Plan proposes actions to help make Ireland a place in which the impacts of racism are fully acknowledged and actively addressed. My Department does not...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course. Whilst the median processing time for standard adult applications now currently stands at 19 months,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that An Garda Síochána is unable to provide a breakdown of seizures in the form requested by the Deputy. Confirmation of drugs seized are subject to analysis and verification by Forensic Science Ireland, prior to publication in the Garda Annual Report. Page 94 of the 2021 report provides a breakdown of Garda seizures...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Protection (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Government is determined to overhaul the operation of the Family Justice System, to ensure that we have a more efficient and user-friendly family court process that puts the family at the centre of its work. The Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 sets out the current law relating to guardianship in line with Article 42A.4 of the Constitution, which requires that provision be made by law...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Long Stay Join Family visa can currently be processed in either of the seven overseas visa offices, or in the visa office in Dublin. The overseas visa offices are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff, under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). Recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by legislation, particularly the Garda Síochána (Admissions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 8 October 2022. Supporting documentation was received in the Belgrade office on the 21 October 2022. The application was subsequently received in the Dublin visa office on the 28 November 2022, where it awaits examination and processing. Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (13 Jun 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: irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-p...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Statute of Limitations (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: Justice Plan 2023 commits to legislating for new pre-action protocols in respect of clinical negligence to encourage early resolution of allegations of negligence, promoting timely communications between parties and reducing the number of clinical negligence actions which are brought, and to including these enabling provisions in a civil law miscellaneous provisions Bill. By way of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that work to draft amendments to the statutory instrument that sets out the rules for the prisoner complaints system operated by the Irish Prison Service (S.I. No. 252/2007 - Prison Rules, 2007) is underway in my Department. The proposals provide a role for the Ombudsman in the Prison Complaints system. Following consultation with the Ombudsman, it was agreed that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Jun 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 provision of over €2 billion to the Garda Vote this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment along with investment in new equipment and new vehicles. This level of funding...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Protection (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 902 and 903 together. As the Deputy is aware, last year, my Department committed to undertake both a public consultation and independent research on the topic of parental alienation as part of the Justice Plan 2022. The findings of both these strands were analysed and arising from this, my officials developed a policy paper on how to address the issue. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Restorative Justice (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: In response to the Deputy, restorative justice is one of a suite of measures available to the criminal justice system. Restorative justice practices take different forms, are founded on the principle of consent, and aim to enable those affected by an offence to participate actively in repairing the harm done and find a positive way forward. At present, restorative justice is delivered by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The persons referred to by the Deputy created on-line Short Stay 'C' visa applications on 29 November 2022. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were received on 17 December 2022, in the Tehran visa office. The applicants listed their proposed travel dates, on their applications, as entering the State on 6 May 2023 and leaving on 5 June 2023. The visas were granted for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Garda Water Unit is a national resource based at Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. 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 purchase, allocation, and effective and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Jun 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 for the purchase, allocation and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. I am however advised by the Garda authorities that Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Official Travel (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: While neither myself nor Minister Browne have any such travel confirmed at this time, we are of course open to undertaking international travel, including to the US, in order to promote Ireland and Irish interests abroad, as well as strengthen our impact and enhance Ireland's reputation overseas, as committed to under the Global Ireland programme.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Judgments (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that on 31 May 2023 there are 10 people in custody whose most serious offence was handling stolen property. I can further advise that none of these people are due to be released in either 2025 or 2026.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Oireachtas Proceedings (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The lawful interception of communications is governed by the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993. Under the Act, the Minister for Justice may authorise designated bodies to intercept communications but only for the purposes of investigating serious crime or safeguarding national security, and subject to a number of strict conditions that are...