Results 10,281-10,300 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Investigation (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The callous and brutal murder of Garda Fallon was of course a terrible tragedy for his family and an affront to the democratic institutions of this State. I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that the Serious Crime Review Team of An Garda Síochána, which is carrying out a review of this case, expects to be in a position to conclude their inquiries by May, 2015. I am further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Forensic Science Ireland (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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. The organisation operates to the highest standards and, given the nature and importance of the functions involved, it is essential that this is, and will continue to be, the case. In that context the provision...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: As I set out in my answer to Question No. 164 of 26th March 2015 and will reiterate now, the European Commission has expressed a concern that Ireland's current legal services advertising regime may be in breach of Article 24 of Directive 2006/123/EC ('the Services Directive'). In general terms, while the Directive permits certain restrictions on legal services advertising that are informed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (2 Apr 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 Commissioner...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Investigation (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The allegations of sexual abuse by members of the Provisional IRA and allegations of cover ups of these crimes continue to be a matter of considerable public concern. What is of most concern in the current circumstances is the potential for current risks to children in our communities from unknown child abusers – this must be the priority for everyone in addressing this issue. It...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Síochána (Amendment) Act 2015 has recently been enacted and it expands the remits of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. In addition, as the Deputy will be aware, the introduction of legislation to provide for a Policing Authority is a key element of the Government's comprehensive programme of justice reform....

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

Frances Fitzgerald: An application for a 'visit' visa, from the person referred to by the Deputy, was received by officials in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department. The application was refused on 11 February, 2015 and the applicant was notified of the decision. An appeal of the decision was submitted on 24 March, 2015 and is currently under consideration. I am advised by my...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Registration Authority (2 Apr 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: Property Registration Authority (2 Apr 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: Direct Provision System (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Procurement of accommodation of the type concerned is a matter for the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department. RIA is responsible for the provision of full board accommodation and certain ancillary services to asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision. There are currently approximately 4,400 asylum seekers in 34 centres around the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that I have no direct role in the operation of the outsourced safety camera network which is principally a matter for An Garda Síochána. I am, however, informed by the Garda authorities that following the identification of a speed enforcement zone, the outsourced safety camera provider liaises with local Garda management in order to identify suitable and...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Student Visas Eligibility (2 Apr 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Each case is looked on its merits in accordance with the policy in place at the time and the circumstances of the applicant and I would not wish to prejudge a potential future application. Any non-EEA national would be entitled to apply for immigration permission to attend a degree course at an Irish university. If they are accepted as suitable by the college and satisfy the financial...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that Garda strength at the end of February 2015 was 12,763 with approximately 1,100 Garda Reserve members and 2,000 civilian staff. The first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College, Templemore, on 15th September 2014. As part of Budget 2015, a further intake of...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: All applications for refugee status are processed by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) in accordance with the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended). I am informed by the Commissioner that each application is decided on its own individual merits and the elements considered during the determination process include the facts and circumstances of the application (including...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 141 together. Under the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of available Garda resources. This includes personnel, Garda vehicles and the various technologies utilised to support frontline Gardaí and intelligence led operations against organised crime. This process takes account of...