Results 9,581-9,600 of 17,498 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Priorities (18 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy may be aware that I secured Government agreement on 1st March 2022 to publish a major report on the review of our defamation law carried out by my Department and, on foot of that report, to begin preparation of a General Scheme of a Defamation (Amendment) Bill. The Report contains a number of recommendations which relate to the issues raised by the Deputy. The objective set...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (18 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the below.  Special Adviser Minister Date Employment Ceased Patrick Cluskey Helen McEntee Currently employed Fiach Kelly Helen McEntee Currently employed Caroline Murphy Charles Flanagan June 2020 ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (18 Oct 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. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (18 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, 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. Therefore I am unable to comment on the specific matters raised by the Deputy. Registration of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes Garda training. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am however informed by the Garda authorities that no member from the Kildare Division completed a Protestor Removal Course in 2021 or to date in 2022. I am further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: When introducing legislation, I and my officials consider the implications of the proposals and consult with other Departments, Agencies and stakeholders affected and will in most instances engage with An Garda Síochána (AGS). The process of engagement and consultation ensures that the views of AGS, along with other stakeholders, including victims, are considered and reflected...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Applications (18 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: Probate is an operational matter for the Courts Service. I have referred the question to the Courts Service for their direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (18 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: As has been previously advised to the Deputy, my Department cannot locate any naturalisation application regarding the persons concerned.  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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (18 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, given the nature of the functions of the Irish Prison Service, it is necessary for checks, in addition to vetting, to be carried out in relation to candidates considered for employment. I am informed that these checks can take time to complete for a variety of reasons depending on the individual case. The Deputy will appreciate that enhanced background checks...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (18 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy has applied to the scheme for the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants. This application was received by the Undocumented Unit of my Department on 31 May 2022 and continues to be processed. Due to the large number of applications on hand it is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe for a decision to issue. The processing times of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (18 Oct 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...

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputies for their contributions and for the general support of the Bill; it is welcome. As I said earlier, it is a wide-ranging Bill and I appreciate there are many different elements to it, but that is the nature of a miscellaneous Bill. It contains many important measures and changes across many different aspects, not least organised crime, domestic violence, firearms and other...

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Referral to Select Committee (13 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Second Stage (13 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome the opportunity to introduce the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022. It brings several improvements to our criminal law, including important provisions to help us to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and to tackle organised crime. It includes new measures to address stalking and harassment, a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Reviews (13 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will respond to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: A Vision for Change (13 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for all Garda operations, including conducting immigration checks at the land border. Garda operations are conducted in a manner that respects human rights, and that supports the proper and effective administration of justice, which is reviewed on an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (13 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: The scheme for the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants closed on 31 July 2022. This once in a generation scheme was designed to give long-term undocumented people without a current permission to remain in the State, the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship. My Department received 6,548 applications in respect of 8,311...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Oct 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: Asylum Applications (13 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: In response to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, my Department remains focused on processing applications for family reunification made under all admission avenues, including the Afghan Admissions Programme. I understand that this is a difficult situation for our Afghan community and their loved ones. I can confirm that my Department received the application referred to on the 9...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Support Services (13 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: Under Budget 2023 I have secured an extra €9m, which represents a 22% increase, for combatting domestic, sexual and gender based violence. This record level of funding will also support the implementation of Zero Tolerance, our Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), which I launched in June. This additional €9 million includes increased...