Results 10,261-10,280 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Many of these cases have been around for more than ten years, and some for 20 years. I have made clear that they are cases for which, in many ways, nobody else has ever found a solution to the satisfaction of the complainants. This is the first time a Government has taken this number of cases that have been on the desks of Deputies or have been of concern and, if one likes, has gathered...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have made clear previously that this is a review of the written files, and the counsel have not met individuals. The Deputy mentioned how the time taken already has been long, but that really would have taken much longer. It was never envisaged that it would be that type of process. It is a comprehensive review of all the information, and in several debates on this matter I have made...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----only approximately 5% to 10% of cases require further action.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes, any files that have been submitted, and where the panel has sought additional information on a case, its members can obviously request that. I confirm to the Deputy that even though the entirety of complaints that have come in have not been examined at this point, I have taken a decision to begin the feedback after Easter to individual complainants where the cases have been completed,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Complaints Procedures (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I want to express my ongoing thanks to the panel of counsel examining these cases. The Deputy is referring to the mechanism established last year for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which had been made to a variety of Members of this House. A panel consisting of two senior and five junior...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Complaints Procedures (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would prefer not to comment on individual cases. There are very wide criteria for referrals to the review mechanism. There has been no filter except where cases clearly fall outside the criteria. We have been very open to referring the cases that the Deputies have referred to us, and the vast majority have been referred to the review mechanism. If a case has not been referred, it has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: At EU level, Member States, including Ireland, agreed back in 2008 that they would deal with regularisation only on a case by case basis and the Government continues to support this position. Ireland has shown itself to be a country that welcomes foreign nationals and this is abundantly clear from our census figures and from our citizenship ceremonies. More than 80,000 people have been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Inspectorate Reports (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Inspectorate Report on Crime Investigation forms an important component in the overall justice reform programme which is currently underway and in respect of which significant progress has already been made. Implementation of this programme, including the reforms recommended by the Inspectorate, is being overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Justice...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Services Regulation (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, I am not in a position in my capacity as Minister for Justice and Equality to provide legal advice in answer to a Parliamentary Question. The general position is that the Property Services Regulatory Authority licences and regulates all Property Services Providers (i.e. Auctioneers, Estate Agents, Letting Agents and Management Agents) under the Property...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Policy Document on non-EEA Family Reunification was published on 31 December 2013 and provides a comprehensive statement of national immigration policy on the area of family reunification. The policies outlined in the document apply to all decision making in relation to family reunification cases where ministerial discretion applies, including long stay (join family) visa applications. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, earlier this week I published the report by Mr. Dominic McGinn, SC, who was appointed to carry out an independent examination of the report of the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) relating to the Garda investigation into the death of Fr. Niall Molloy. The report was published with a number of redactions which were made following consultation with the Attorney...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into operation on 15 July, 2014 as part of this Government's comprehensive approach to enhance the protection available to whistle blowers, including Garda whistleblowers. Section 19 of the Act inserted a new provision into the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) to be a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Independent Review Mechanism (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: This Government, as part of its response to the report by Seán Guerin SC, took the initiative to have an independent review carried out of the allegations of Garda misconduct which had been submitted to my Department, to the Office of the Taoiseach and a number of other public representatives. This unprecedented decision was taken with a view to getting an objective and independent legal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: DNA Database (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the forensic capacity of An Garda Síochána will be further enhanced by a new national DNA database which is scheduled to become operational shortly. I fully recognise the very significant contribution of Forensic Science Ireland within the criminal justice system and the vital role it has in providing evidence for the courts. In that context and in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any question of detailed Garda deployment and resource management, it is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to evaluate and consider the benefits of relevant policing and crime prevention strategies. I have, however, brought the Deputy's proposal to the attention of the Garda authorities. An Garda Síochána is proactive in encouraging...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Authority Establishment (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The introduction of legislation to provide for a Policing Authority is a key element of the Government's comprehensive programme of justice reform. Drafting of the Bill to establish the new Authority is proceeding as a matter of priority and I look forward to publishing it in the near future. Currently the Chairperson-designate of the Policing Authority, Ms Josephine Feehily, is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Status Applications (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Applications for refugee status rose by 53% in 2014 and in the first two months of this year were 129% ahead of the same period in 2014. This has resulted in the median processing times at first instance increasing from 12 weeks in January 2014 to 21 weeks in January 2015. The median processing time for appeals of refugee status decisions in 2014 was some 49 weeks for appeals involving an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Authority Establishment (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The introduction of legislation to provide for a Policing Authority is a key element of the Government's comprehensive programme of justice reform. Drafting of the Bill to establish the new Authority is proceeding as a matter of priority and I look forward to publishing it in the near future. In this context the functions of the Authority are being addressed. In addition, an allocation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Remit (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an independent statutory body established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The objectives, functions and powers of GSOC are governed by the 2005 Act. The Act also provides that the management and control generally of the officers, administration and business of GSOC is the responsibility of the Chairperson of GSOC. It...