Results 9,821-9,840 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (1 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: The application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. During this time, it is important that the person maintains their immigration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: European Council (1 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, I cannot comment on the immigration laws applying in another jurisdiction, including in another EU Member State. However, more generally, I can say that citizens of the United Kingdom are not considered to be ‘non-nationals’ for the purpose of Irish immigration law. They continue to enjoy arrangements held under the Common Travel Area (CTA),...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will recall that the information requested in Parliamentary Question No. 761 of 2 November 2021 could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the requested information was received. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (1 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme opened for applications on 31 January 2022. Applications will be accepted for six months until 31 July 2022, when the scheme will close. The scheme is only open to those who do not have a current permission to reside in the State and will enable eligible applicants to remain and reside in the State and to regularise their residency...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (1 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy currently holds a Stamp 1 immigration permission, which is valid until 23 August 2022. It is open to the person concerned to make an application to renew this permission, provided they meet the renewal criteria. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (1 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Legal Aid Board provides legal advice and aid under the relevant terms of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996-2017. Section 3(3) of the Act provides that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions. The acquisition of premises is an operational matter for the Legal Aid Board under such terms,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (1 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that there are a number of offences listed as Controlled Drugs Offences on the prison system. Only two offences are listed on the prison system which specifically describe cannabis-related offences. A prisoner could however be sentenced for a drug related offence that is not specifically categorised as cannabis related on the prison...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug and Alcohol Testing (1 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) provides a scientific service to the Criminal Justice System by analysing samples submitted from crime scenes and providing expert evidence in criminal trials. This includes the analysis of suspected drugs seized by State agencies. I have been advised by FSI that they are unable to comment on the cost or time associated with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (1 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: Diverting young people away from getting involved in criminal activity is a key priority for the Government and the exploitation of young people and children is a particular concern. As the Deputy will be aware, while an adult may be prosecuted for a crime which has been committed by a child who has been incited to do so by the adult, there is currently no mechanism in law for explicitly...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Functions and Operational Areas) Bill 2021: Second Stage (27 Jan 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to bring the Garda Síochána (Functions and Operational Areas) Bill 2021 before the House. The Bill facilitates the introduction of a new Garda Síochána operating model and provides for drug-testing of Garda members, and civilian staff, working within An Garda Síochána. The main aim of the legislation is to make the technical changes needed to allow...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Functions and Operational Areas) Bill 2021: Second Stage (27 Jan 2022)

Helen McEntee: I thank Senators for their questions and also for their support for this Bill. As I said at the outset it is quite technical. At the same time it is an important Bill in making sure that the many changes that are taking place across An Garda Síochána and the restructuring, are rooted in the law, that gardaí are supported and enabled to do their work and that it is as...

Seanad: Violence Against Women: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Helen McEntee: The senseless killing of Ashling Murphy two weeks ago took a wonderful young woman from her family and from her wider community. It also led to an outpouring of grief the length and breadth of the country. In thinking of Ashling, we also remember Urantsetseg Tserendorj, Jastine Valdez, Ana Kriégel, Nadine Lott, and so many other women who have been, and are, victims of violence against...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) (Stalking) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (27 Jan 2022)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the chance to speak on this Bill. Obviously, I will not be opposing it on the next Stage. While there is undoubtedly work to be done on how best to implement the changes we are discussing here, Senator Chambers and I have a shared desire to see the law in this area strengthened, as do all of us in this House. We must do so as soon as possible so that it can be...

Seanad: Violence Against Women: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Helen McEntee: I thank all the Senators for their contributions. I thank those who have given of their own personal lived experience because it is not easy to do, certainly not standing in Parliament. Indeed, I thank those who have spoken on behalf of victims and survivors. I thank everyone for their proposals and suggestions. I genuinely mean this. There is no right or wrong answer. I want to work...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commercial Rents (27 Jan 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that there are currently no caps in place for commercial rent increases. However, it is important to note that for leases entered into on or after 28 February 2010, for the purposes of carrying on a business, Section 132 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 prohibited upward only rent reviews and further detailed the applicable rules in this area. In...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (27 Jan 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Legal Aid Board (“the Board”) is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (the “Act”) and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2021. Section 3(3) of the Act provides that the Board shall, subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (27 Jan 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy the Irish Prison Service will respond to the individual concerned by the end of the week, to apologise for the failure to respond to his correspondence and to provide him with a response to the matters which he raised.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (27 Jan 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will agree, resources are fundamental to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Budget 2022 has provided an unprecedented allocation of in excess of €2 billion to An Garda Síochána, which includes funding for the recruitment of 800 additional Garda Trainees and 400 Garda staff. This significant investment demonstrates the Government's...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (27 Jan 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (27 Jan 2022)

Helen McEntee: Details of quantitative research carried out my Department in relation to policies within its remit, in the timeframe specified by the Deputy, are set out in tabular form below. Topic Spend (exc. VAT) Attitudes towards/experiences of the taking of intimate images (to inform the development of a public education campaign relating to the enactment of...