Results 10,661-10,680 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Citizenship Applications (26 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this extremely important issue. First, let me stress that I recognise the crucial role all healthcare workers, including those who are non-EEA nationals, continue to play in this ongoing pandemic in responding to the threat of Covid-19. Their exceptional commitment has been particularly clear throughout the pandemic, during which they have in no small...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Citizenship Applications (26 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: Irrespective of whether we are assessing asylum applications or citizen applications, it is important that we have a fair system that acknowledges that everybody who has applied is making some contribution, be it working in healthcare are in other settings. The most important thing is to have a system that goes through the application process as quickly as possible and that nobody is waiting...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Citizenship Applications (26 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I thank Senator Ó Donnghaile for raising this issue. First, let me start with the payments and fees, as outlined by the Senator. These are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011. The fees are paid in two parts. The current application fee is €175, which is payable when an application for naturalisation is lodged. A certification...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Citizenship Applications (26 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I will certainly take that recommendation on board. This is about making sure we have a streamlined process. To refer to a previous Commencement matter I addressed today, we are investing in ICT to move systems in these structures and in the Department of Justice away from what are, unfortunately, mainly paper-based systems towards an online system which would make it much easier for people...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Garda Stations (26 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. In response to his last point, as Minister I can inform him that the Department of Justice is working with the Garda Commissioner and the OPW, which has responsibility for rolling out many of these projects. I reassure him that we are committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána is supported in the work it does by providing the resources...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Garda Stations (26 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: It is extremely important that we provide the resources and capital infrastructure for An Garda Síochána to do its work. I am particularly pleased to note the increase in Garda resources in Tipperary in recent years. There are now 411 gardaí assigned to that division, which represents an increase of 16% since 2015 when there were 354. They are also supported by 84 civilian...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Naturalisation of Minors Born in Ireland) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: If that is okay, I will speak as quickly as I can. I acknowledge the work done by Senator Bacik and her Labour Party colleagues and thank them for it. Since we last discussed this Bill, I have had a good engagement with the Senator on a number of citizenship issues. I thank her for that ongoing engagement. During our previous debate on Committee Stage in December, I committed to reviewing...

Civil Liability and Courts (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (25 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: First, I thank Deputy Denis Naughten and his colleagues in the Regional Independent Group for highlighting the issue with which the Bill deals. I acknowledge the spirit in which the Bill has been brought forward. I also thank those Members who have participated so far in the debate. As the Minister of State outlined, there is much common ground between this Bill and the Government's...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (25 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: The difficulties faced by people regarding their ability to obtain new passports at this time are noted by my Department. I recognise that this is clearly a very difficult situation for all involved. The Immigration Service of my Department is not in a position to provide assistance with obtaining new or replacement national passports and the issuance of same is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (25 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: On 18 January 2021, I was pleased to announce a temporary system that enables citizenship applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty. This signed statutory declaration replaces the requirement for citizenship applicants to attend citizenship ceremonies, which have been temporarily suspended during COVID-19. The Citizenship...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (25 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics.  The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases under reservation in relation to various crime statistics, including recorded and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (25 Mar 2021)

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.  The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands.  This includes the allocation of vehicles among...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (25 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: The application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Communications (25 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested, with regard to the dedicated email addresses for members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to contact my Department and the agencies under the aegis of my Department, are provided in the following table: Agency Email Address An Garda Síochána oireachtasqueries@justice.ie ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Protected Disclosures (25 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into operation on 15 July 2014 and my Department has a protected disclosures policy in place, which is available on the Department's website. The policy is kept under review and a revised Policy is due to be published in 2021. With regard to the Deputy’s...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Leave to Remain (25 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy was issued a letter refusing them permission to remain in the state on 11 December 2019. In response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned. These representations, together with all other information...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Sittings (25 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. Furthermore, the scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business are matters for the Presidents of the Courts and the presiding judges who are, under the Constitution, independent in the exercise...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (25 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has advised me as follows.  The Courts Service has used all available means to keep court users updated on the status of their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (25 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: Following the Supreme Court judgement in Pourgholami v Minister for Justice and Equality, I have established a Single Person Committee of inquiry into the refusal of applications of Irish Citizenship via the Naturalisation process where National Security concerns arise.  The Committee has been established to review, on request from the applicant, the material upon which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policy Functions (25 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I have not yet had any engagements with other Ministers on the policy of progressing disability services in my capacity as Minister for Justice.  As the Deputy will be aware, my colleague in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Minister of State Anne Rabbitte has policy responsibility for disability. However, I would like to assure the Deputy that...