Results 81-100 of 11,589 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes all operational policing matters, such as the allocation and deployment of Garda resources, and determining the manner in which Garda resources are to be distributed and stationed throughout the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Budget 2026 (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Following engagement with legal representatives of the families of the victims of the Stardust fire, the Government, in August 2024, approved a two-phased approach to redress arrangements. Phase one of the redress, for the families of the 48 victims of the fire, was recently completed. Work to develop phase two proposals, concerning survivors of the fire, continues to be advanced by my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am aware of the distressing circumstances of the case raised by the Deputy. While the Victims of Crime Act 2017 greatly expanded the right to information for victims and has been operating effectively in most cases, my Department is aware of complexities in cases concerning concurrent custodial sentences. In this instance I am aware that the perpetrator was not released at the end of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 290 together. I am advised that work is ongoing within An Garda Síochána to issue fixed charge notices and summonses for registration plate offences. An Garda Síochána have now incorporated seven new offence code wordings, in Irish and English, onto its ICT systems. After a period of testing, these new offence codes will be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 283 together. The Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022 did not progress in the lifetime of the last government. The Programme for Government commits to updating our licensing laws, and in line with this commitment, consideration will be given to legislation in respect of the sale of alcohol as part of the Government’s Legislative Programme in due...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The State is currently accommodating over 32,500 people in 316 IPAS centres around the country. As of 5 October 2025, there are 499 international protection applicants resident in Co. Offaly. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) releases weekly statistics in relation to international protection applicants accommodated by IPAS. This includes a per county breakdown...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Rights (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The EU Migration and Asylum Pact has been designed to establish a common approach to migration and asylum that is based on solidarity, responsibility, and, importantly, respect for human rights. Part 15 of the General Scheme of the new International Protection Bill provides for the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism as provided for in the Screening Regulation and Asylum...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Ireland has opted in to the EU Asylum and Migration Pact which will come into effect in June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU, and through the introduction of streamlined and faster processing times. My Department continues to focus on preparing for the EU Pact on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need is an absolute priority for me. Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency is committed to providing safe and accessible accommodation and support services for victims and survivors of DSGBV. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. This year, we are beginning to see application numbers noticeably reduce with 37% fewer compared with the same period in 2024. Minster Brophy and I believe that implementing a more efficient migration system is a key element in reducing the numbers coming to Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Judgments (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the case of the person referred to is being considered in the context of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling in the Chenchooliah. The ECJ ruled that such people can only be removed on foot of a Removal Order made under Article 15 of the EU Free Movement Directive. As a result of this ruling, a new Removal Order process needed to be developed in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Agreements (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 292, 293, 294, 295, 296 and 299 together. I can advise the Deputy that the Entry/Exit System (EES) is a Schengen measure which will introduce digital border controls at external borders of the Schengen Area. As Ireland is not a member of the Schengen Area, it is not implementing the EES. In this context, additional staffing, information campaigns or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Bodies (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 297, 298, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308 and 309 together. The European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO) was established in 2017 under the EU's enhanced cooperation measure to investigate and prosecute crimes against the financial interest of the European Union. These crimes are as set out in Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is responsible for services relating to immigration to Ireland by non-EU/EEA citizens, including visa applications, international protection and citizenship services. The Department does not hold the information requested. The Central Statistics Office provides guidance on how the State defines and invites people resident in Ireland to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Funding (16 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) is a national programme administered by my Department and co-funded by the European Union. It provides reception and integration supports to International Protection applicants, beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, and other third-country nationals in Ireland. Applications to the next round of funding for the AMIF are expected to open by...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am conscious that this is the first time Senator Conway has spoken on this grouping of amendments. At the end of his contribution, Senator McDowell mentioned that insurance companies are dictated to by the bottom line, and he is absolutely right about that. However, as legislators, we cannot be dictated to by people whose only interest is the bottom line. We need to enact legislation...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Senator Higgins for her amendments. She has put forward two amendments, Nos. 6 and 7, which are identical and which seek the removal of the words "or is likely to cause" in the new section 12 governing defamation of a body corporate. I think it is always important when we are discussing and debating amending legislation that we recall what the underlying existing legislation...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Yes.