Results 9,581-9,600 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Senators will recall that when I assumed my present office I committed to delivering a sea change in the oversight of policing. Since then I have worked with the Cabinet committee on justice reform to deliver a comprehensive programme of reform of the oversight governance and accountability of An Garda Síochána. The overall objective of this programme is to ensure that the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I apologise to the Senator. I will arrange for that. Obviously there is a need for the delivery of reforms and efficiencies. For example 125 gardaí are returning to front-line policing as a result of civilianisation of Garda immigration functions at Dublin Airport. In addition, due to reforms in rural policing, the Garda Commissioner estimates that 61,000 more man hours and woman...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: My apologies. I am unsure why it has not happened.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I appreciate that. If we could have a couple of copies circulated, it would be helpful in the first instance.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: My apologies if copies have not been circulated. I will also arrange for it to be e-mailed to Senators. Part 1 of the Bill contains the Short Title provisions, as well as definitions and repeal provisions. Section 4 contains a definition of security services for the first time. This is required to help to identify the relevant functions of the authority. As it will not have functions in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Terrorism (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is considerable concern across Europe following terrorist events in Paris and Brussels earlier this year. The events show that all States must remain vigilant and attentive to the risks posed by international terrorism. The issue is a matter of ongoing concern to me and my ministerial colleagues across the European Union and will be on the agenda for the upcoming Justice and Home...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Status (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following a Government decision, the LÉ Eithne was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May 2015 to engage in humanitarian search and rescue operations at sea as part of Ireland's overall contribution to the migrant crisis situation in the region. It has been agreed with the Italian Government that the LÉ Eithne will conduct search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 3rd May 2012. The effect of a Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the state and remain thereafter outside the State. The enforcement of Deportation Orders is an operational matter for the Garda National...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 527 and 531 together. The Public Office situated at Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 provides services to non-national persons to obtain permission to remain in the State and to register their presence in the State in accordance with the Immigration Act, 2004. This office provides those services to non-nationals who are resident in the Dublin Metropolitan area. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 528 and 556 together. On 27 November, I published the General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill. The Bill will provide for new offences of purchasing, in the context of prostitution, sexual services. It also includes wide ranging provisions to enhance the protection of children and vulnerable persons from sexual abuse and exploitation. When...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a letter granting permission to remain for a period of four months issued to the person referred to by the Deputy in November 2014 to afford them the opportunity to apply for a work permit in the State. However, they failed to register this permission with the Garda National Immigration Bureau. In...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted in certain circumstances for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. An applicant must establish to the satisfaction of the court that their means are insufficient to enable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting Applications (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that a vetting application in respect of the person referred to was received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit on 28 May 2015. Once completed the application will be returned to the registered organisation concerned. In general, Garda Vetting applications are processed on a first-come, first served basis in chronological order from date of receipt....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The recently published Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) report on the provision of child welfare services for children in direct provision centres is not an examination of the direct provision system, but rather concerns itself with the handling by the Child and Family Agency - Tusla - of child referral cases in respect of children in that system. The Report was carried out...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Social Behaviour (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that the policing response to anti-social behaviour is a matter for the Garda authorities in the first instance. In this regard, An Garda Síochána continue to implement a range of strategies based on existing legislation and enhancing partnerships with local communities. A range of strong legislative provisions are available to an An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of policing resources, including Garda transport, are an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. In that context I am informed by the Garda authorities that based upon operational priorities it is currently not envisaged that additional Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has responsibility for the Community Programmes Unit of the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) which manages the Garda Youth Diversion Project (GYDP) network nationwide. I was pleased to announce, on the 15th May last, the allocation of the first tranche of Dormant Accounts Action Plan funding which includes funding to expand and enhance the GYDP service. Grants will be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department, that the Dublin Visa Office responded with a comprehensive reply to a query submitted to the 'Oireachtas Mail' dedicated e-mail facility on 26 May 2015, outlining the type of visas which could be applied for based on the information that was provided. It is open to a visa-required national to make a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Same-sex Marriage (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Subject to the Constitution, I am prioritising the publication of the Marriage Bill 2015 with a view to its enactment before the summer recess and early commencement. My aim, if possible, is that all the necessary legal provisions to make civil marriage available to same-sex couples would be in place in August. The policy intention, made clear in the Heads of Bill published on 9 March, is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Seirbhísi trí Ghaeilge (9 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Déantar socrú le halt 11 d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003, maidir le comhlachtaí poiblí d'ullmhú scéime reachtúla ina sonraítear, inter alia, na seirbhísí a sholáthróidh siad trí mheán na Gaeilge. Thosaigh Scéim Thionscnaimh Ghaeilge na Roinne Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais le héifeacht ón 30...