Results 11,141-11,160 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Strength (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have given the Deputy the current figure of 12,799. To put it in perspective, in 2006 Garda strength was just under 13,000. It is interesting to note that, at the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the average number in the force was between 10,500 and 11,000, at a time when there was no Garda Reserve. I certainly believe the members of An Garda Síochána can carry out...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Strength (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy rightly indicates, there is huge interest in the Garda Reserve which has tallied with the new and ongoing recruitment. In fact, 23 members of the first group who entered the college in Templemore had been members of the Garda Reserve. Some 17 former members of the Garda Reserve were in the second batch of 100 new recruits, while 13 former members were in the third batch of 100...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed Circuit Television Systems (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: CCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention and as aids to policing in areas to which the general public routinely have access, such as town centres, fall into two distinct categories: Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems. Garda CCTV systems are planned and implemented on the basis of An Garda Síochána's identified operational needs and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, following a long campaign on the part of the victims, Mr. Paul Coffey SC was appointed in 2008 by the then Government, with the agreement of the Victims Committee, to review the case made by the Committee for a new inquiry into the fire. His report was published in January 2009. He concluded that the original Tribunal finding of arson was a hypothetical one only...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The strength of the Garda Síochána on 31 December 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 12,799. There were also 1,124 Garda Reserve members, with a further 48 in training. In addition, there were over 2,000 Garda civilian staff. The Garda Síochána provides a vital public service, protecting the public from crime and safeguarding the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The objective of the Mediation Bill, which is fully in line with the commitment given in the Programme for Government, is to promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings thereby reducing legal costs, speeding up the resolution of disputes and relieving the stress involved in court proceedings. The Bill will provide that a solicitor or barrister...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can confirm to the Deputy that the person to whom he refers is included amongst those whose complaints are under consideration by the panel of counsel appointed to operate the Independent Review Mechanism set up to consider allegations of Garda misconduct and inadequacy in the investigation of such allegations. The review of each complaint will consist of an examination of the papers in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Corruption (19 Feb 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: Garda Operations (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The statutory functions of An Garda Síochána include the preservation of peace and public order, protecting life and property and vindicating the human rights of individuals. Accordingly, Gardaí have attended routinely at water meter installations and protests where it has been necessary to perform these functions. An Garda Síochána always endeavour as best they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Divisional Headquarters (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on accommodation priorities which are established by An Garda Síochána. The programme is advanced in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Funding for such works is provided for in the Vote of the Office of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will know, the Coroners Bill 2007 provides for a comprehensive reform of the Coroners Act 1962 and of the existing coroner system, including the establishment of a new Coroner Service. It incorporates many of the recommendations made by the Coroners Review Group in 2000, and by the Coroners Rules Committee in 2003, as well as a detailed review of reforms to coronial systems in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the arrests to which the Deputy refers. These arrests took place in the context of an ongoing criminal investigation which is being carried out by An Garda Síochána at present. It would clearly be wrong of me to say anything which would interfere in any way with that investigation. I am sure the House will appreciate that it is a matter for An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am acutely aware of the impact on ordinary lives resulting from the various conflicts around the world and that many people displaced by these conflicts have put their lives at risk by undertaking dangerous journeys by sea towards Europe. Effectively addressing the implications of these global crises is one of the challenges facing the international community and these matters have been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Same-sex Marriage (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will know, when the Government decided on 5 November 2013 that a referendum would be held on the question of enabling same-sex couples to marry, it reiterated its commitment that the freedom of religion of religious solemnisers would be guaranteed. My Department is engaged in the development of the Implementation Bill which will be brought forward if the referendum on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy may be aware, An Garda Síochána have established a Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme and this programme is in operation in the area referred to. The programme is designed to respond to the needs of drug users and family members who are experiencing drug related intimidation as a result of financial debt which they may have incurred. In this regard, a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Procedures (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that policies and procedures that exist for the arrest of minors are set out in Part 6, sections 55-70 of the Children Act, 2001. The full text of the Children Act, 2001 can be accessed via the website of the Irish Youth Justice Service at under legislation.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Remuneration (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am always happy to meet with the Garda Representative Association or indeed any of the Garda associations, to discuss issues of concern to them and to their members. The Deputy will be aware that the current Garda recruitment campaign commenced in late 2013 and attracted over 20,000 applications. Details of the remuneration package, ie basic pay and allowances were made available to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and vehicles, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (19 Feb 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The current position is that the Bill has passed Committee Stage in the Dáil, having passed all stages in the Seanad. However, before the Bill could be taken at Report Stage, a 2013 UK Court of Appeal judgment necessitated a review of the disclosure provisions in both the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 and the Spent Convictions Bill. That review has...