Results 9,921-9,940 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The age at which any candidate may apply to join the Garda Síochána as a full time member is set by regulation 4 (a) of the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 which states as follows: "Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, a person is eligible to apply for admission as a trainee where, on the closing date specified in the advertisement...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Applications to become members of An Garda Síochána Reserve are processed by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of An Garda Síochána. Admission to become a Reserve member is subject to the provisions of the Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations 2006. I have no role in this process.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Marriage Equality Referendum (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: One of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Discipline Regulations were introduced by Statutory instrument in May 2007. Included in the "Acts or Conduct Constituting Breaches of Discipline" is the following: "Prohibited spare-time activity, that is to say- a)...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Registration Authority (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department is constantly seeking ways in which the visa system may be developed to facilitate legitimate travel to the State for the purpose of tourism and business. In doing so, officials in INIS maintain regular close contact with relevant Government Departments and agencies. It is, however, important to stress, at the outset,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Independent Review Mechanism (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are currently 319 complaints being considered by the mechanism established by the Government for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach. A panel consisting of two Senior and five Junior Counsel was established for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have received the information from the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Miscarriages of Justice (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would refer the Deputy to my statement of 1 April 2015 in which I announced that the Government had decided to advise the President to exercise his right of pardon under Article 13.6 of the Constitution in respect of the conviction in 1941 of Mr. Harry Gleeson for the murder of Ms. Mary McCarthy. This decision came following a review of the case by Mr. Shane Murphy SC on the direction...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government recognises that the level of mortgage arrears represents a significant economic and social challenge and is acutely aware of the difficulties some borrowers are facing in meeting their mortgage commitments. In this context, the Government welcomes evidence of increasing engagement between borrowers and lenders which has resulted in over 115,000 sustainable restructured...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Independent Review Mechanism (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware that the members of the family in question have made representations in respect of a number of issues over a long period of time and that there was also protracted civil and family law litigation which I believe was concluded some time ago. This case has been the subject of previous review in my Department and there appears to be no additional information forthcoming which would...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have been informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Gardaí have made inquiries with the Forensic Science Laboratory on a number of occasions, most recently in February and March of this year, in relation to identifying the human remains which were recovered. I regret to say, however, that the examination of these remains has not yielded any positive results to date. My Department has recently...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders Data (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: A total of 367 Deportation Orders were signed during the period referred to by the Deputy. The top five nationalities were China (65), Sudan (60), Pakistan (18), Nigeria (17) and Mauritius (16). In order to provide a more complete picture of the situation regarding the expulsion of non-Irish nationals from the State during the period in question, it should be noted that during the same...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Remuneration (7 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: To date no proposals have been agreed to change the process by which retired members of An Garda Síochána are paid their pension from the current method of payment in advance. I can, however, state that consideration of this matter is at an exploratory stage.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (7 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Obair was launched in each Division in the Eastern Garda Region in April 2012. The primary objective of Operation Obair is to disrupt and prevent mobile and organised criminal groups from committing criminal offences, to apprehend suspects in the commission or the attempted commission of offences and to fully investigate, detect and, where...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (7 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have received the information from the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (7 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Courts are, subject only to the constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. The presiding judge is responsible for the administration of his or her court. The conduct of any court case, including adherence to the provisions of the Judicial Separation and Family Law Reform Act 1989 is a matter for the presiding judge.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Numbers (7 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed that as of 30 April 2015 the college referred to by the Deputy had 364 non-EEA students registered with the Garda National Immigration Bureau as pursuing an English language course of studies.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Law (7 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department is obliged to deal in confidence with requests for mutual legal assistance in criminal investigations. However, given that reference has been made in a court in Northern Ireland to the making of a request for assistance in this instance, I can confirm that a request has been received and that it is being dealt with, in accordance with legal requirements, as expeditiously as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (7 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that it is the policy of An Garda Síochána to deploy personnel to establish a highly visible and accessible service to communities to tackle crime, the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour. Community policing is a central feature and core value of policing policy and current policing strategies are predicated on the prevention of crime, public order...