Results 9,681-9,700 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Trafficking (27 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: On 27 November, I published the General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill. The General Scheme includes wide ranging provisions to enhance the protection of children and vulnerable persons from sexual abuse and exploitation. In addition, the Bill will provide for new offences of purchasing, in the context of prostitution, sexual services. The first is a general offence of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (27 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have sought a report on the issues raised by the Deputy as to whether the specific information requested is available and I will be in contact with the Deputy directly when this report is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (27 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy may be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. The Act provides that the Service is independent in the performance of its functions, including the provision of courthouse facilities. Formal requests for the hearing of evidence by video conference in criminal matters can be made under...

Other Questions: Immigration Policy (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Clearly, there must be a very intense focus on dealing with traffickers. This relates to the current humanitarian crisis but, of course, it is also an ongoing issue in Ireland and elsewhere in respect of the trafficking of women and children.

Other Questions: Immigration Policy (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Dealing with it is a priority for the Garda Commissioner and An Garda Síochána. There are ongoing discussions at European level about the legal mechanisms and the legal authority under which this work will be done but it is certainly a priority. It is very important because there is no question that people are being abused by unscrupulous traffickers and this has led to the deaths...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda regions, divisions, and districts. This is kept under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner has taken a number of decisions...

Other Questions: Immigration Policy (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: This obviously is a very big issue for Europe and every country therein. We are all very conscious of the huge humanitarian crisis owing to people attempting to cross over from Libya and Syria. I had discussions on this issue yesterday with the Secretary General of the United Nations who praised Irish initiatives on resettlement. I announced recently that Ireland would take 300 additional...

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Once I realised the volume of cases I knew that it would take time. It is an independent process and to continue that independence I have now asked a judicial figure to be involved in the robust communication of the outcome of the investigation to the people concerned. Certainly I stand over that process as independent and robust.

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is a review. If we were to interview people individually we would be talking about a different initiative completely to the one announced.

Other Questions: Insolvency Service of Ireland Application Numbers (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As published in the Insolvency Service of Ireland's quarter 1 statistics, the ISI has received 2,013 applications since its launch on 1 March 2013. A total of 996 protective certificates have been granted and 821 arrangements have been put in place. In terms of the ISI's indirect impact it is worth remembering that prior to its establishment insolvent debtors were not obtaining informal...

Other Questions: Insolvency Service of Ireland Application Numbers (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Collins asked a question on bankruptcy. Those responsible for dealing with these issues in some modern economies believe that a three-year bankruptcy term is the appropriate one and that is what they have. Others have shorter terms. I have asked both the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, on which the Deputy serves, and the Joint Committee on Finance to examine the...

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: In quite a number of cases more information has come into the Department through the review mechanism which has had to go to counsel for further analysis. In any circumstance where under the review mechanism extra written information is needed, for example, from GSOC or An Garda Siochána, it has been possible to get that information. It is an analysis of all of the data available. I...

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: To clarify, I said that where the independent panel decided that it needed further information based on its review of cases, it asked for it. I also said quite a lot of information had come in on an ongoing basis from members of the public - the complainants in the cases - and that information, even where a recommendation had already been made, had been sent back to the panel to be analysed...

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----which, in many cases, as I said, has been around since 1969. The initial timeframe was incorrect and I have said that from the outset.

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government agreed to establish the independent review mechanism to deal with a variety of cases of complaints, not all of which, it turns out, relate to the An Garda Síochána, though a substantial number do. A number are about other bodies and experiences in court. Some of the complaints relate to property issues. There is a range of issues within the complaints which have...

Other Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I recently told the Deputy, GSOC received an extra €1 million in funding and it has also been exempted from the moratorium that applies to recruitment. It has now taken on extra staff and a small number of vacancies are currently being filled. The annual report was published fairly recently and it is clearly dealing with a large volume of work. I am in regular contact with GSOC...

Other Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will repeat the fact that extra resources and staffing have been made available. Clearly, hardly a body in the country would not say "Yes" when asked if it needed more resources. I have to be satisfied that GSOC, with the resources and staff that it has, can do the work being referred to it. As I have said, I have met with GSOC a number of times since I became Minister and have been...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Just last week, I held a meeting with about 50 representatives from a variety of victims' groups. I also held a meeting of criminal justice agencies to discuss the implications of the victims' directive, which has to be legislated for later this year. The implementation of that legislation will have a strong impact on some of the points the Deputy has raised, including the relationship...

Other Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that on 15 May, my Department placed an advertisement seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified individuals for appointment as chairperson of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The advertisement can be viewed on the Department's website and the website of the Public Appointments Service. The closing date for the receipt of expressions...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (26 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Ireland takes very seriously its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. In particular, we are concerned to ensure the right to life, as stated in Article 2, when read in conjunction with Article 1, is respected and vindicated. As Minister for Justice and Equality, I am conscious of the responsibility which this brings, in particular because of my functions as they relate...