Results 9,181-9,200 of 17,498 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: We are looking at that in the reverse so that is not somebody canvassing, that a person is free to understand who the individual is or to ask the question, that is currently the case. Names are put forward and there has to be an understanding of who is being put forward, particularly if people do not know all the names, especially as a large number of names are often put forward or a name...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: It is outside the scope of this Bill but this specific section is very much around canvassing and individuals taking it upon themselves to talk to somebody else or to canvass. What Senator McDowell is talking about is making a decision. I am not sure if the leader of a party or anybody else is going to make a statement that he or she is asking about an individual who may or may not be on a...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: What I would say is that people are not put off by the current process. What we are talking about in section 41 is specifically on the issue of canvassing and does not relate to where a person has been put forward or names have been put forward and decisions have to be taken. We are bound by Cabinet confidentiality and the commission is bound by confidentiality as well. I have not seen a...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: We previously discussed the word "may" but a situation has arisen even in my case where a decision was taken not to fill a particular vacancy or a decision was taken by the president of the relevant court that it was not required, so that allows for that discretion. That is not to say that a Minister might randomly decide not to fill positions in the District Court or elsewhere when they...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: Yes, that is the process that happens now, particularly for the type of vacancy mentioned by the Senator. It ensures there is no gap, particularly for such significant roles. I do not propose to change that. It very seldom happens that a person promoted to a position from one court to the next is automatically appointed or takes up that position immediately for the very simple reason that...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The answer to the Senator's first question is, "Yes". The second most senior person will take on that position. Obviously, we make no reference to voting and it is "take no part in the performance by the Commission". The performance of the commission is not only to vote but also to discuss the recommendations and the names at hand. That is why the Attorney General would be included....

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: It still applies. Secondly, in response to Senator Ward, it is in the next section.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: It refers to the make-up in a separate section, which I do not have-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The intention is that it would still be maintained.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am deeply committed to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence in all its forms, and to supporting victims of such heinous crimes. As the Deputy will be aware, in June, I launched the new whole-of-government strategy to combat domestic, sexual, gender-based violence. This new plan has a particular focus on prevention, and on ensuring victims are better supported. It sets an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Nov 2022)

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 purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (15 Nov 2022)

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: An Garda Síochána (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that An Garda Síochána and the Office of Public Works have responsibility for the Garda Estate.  As Minister for Justice I have no role in management decisions related to the pool at Templemore Garda College.  I am informed that the decision to close the pool was made as an energy saving measure and that the pool will be made available again to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that based on the information supplied, it has unfortunately not been possible to locate any immigration related application made to my Department in respect of the person referred to. If more information can be provided I would be happy to request that my officials re-examine your request.  Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Applications (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Investigations (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: In February 2019, retired District Court Judge Gerard Haughton was appointed by the then Minister for Justice and Equality to carry out a scoping exercise in the light of the public controversy surrounding the circumstances of the death of Shane O'Farrell. The purpose of the scoping exercise was to advise the Minister as to whether any further investigation or inquiry beyond those already...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Accidents (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the recording of traffic incidents and crimes reported to An Garda Síochána. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.  I have contacted An Garda Síochána for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Nov 2022)

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: An Garda Síochána (15 Nov 2022)

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: Departmental Policies (15 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to confirm that my Department intends to host the next in-person citizenship ceremonies on the 5th and 6th of December 2022 in the Killarney Convention Centre (Gleneagle Hotel).  All Invitations for the upcoming ceremonies are due to be issued by Wednesday 23 November. It is expected that almost 3250 persons will be invited and that 5 or 6 ceremonies will be held over...