Results 11,421-11,440 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Northern Ireland (15 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I know that he has campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the families for many years and, of course, I am in full agreement with him that the perpetrators of this atrocity should be brought to justice. The bombing of Belturbet on 28 December 1972 was an appalling and callous act of violence that claimed the lives of two innocent young people and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (15 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The General Scheme of the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill which has been developed by my Department following a comprehensive review of current law and administrative practice, was approved by Government in June 2018. A copy of the Bill is available on my Department’s website. The Bill is currently with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) for drafting. I want to be in a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (15 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 11 March 2019. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. If any further documentation is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Deportation Orders (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: We have a robust system in place. At the same time, it is a system and ,like any other, it can always be improved. That is part of a wider discussion and engagement which may need to take place after this. I reiterate my comments from yesterday to the effect that we will continue to take the same compassionate and pragmatic approach we have taken throughout this pandemic. I give that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Pardons (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Just because it is a long time ago, some people might ask whether it would make any difference. Where a miscarriage of justice may have occurred, it is extremely important that we correct the record. We need to provide clarity and assurance to the family. I will give some more detail in the process. Following the initial consideration of a case by departmental officials where they form a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Pardons (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I again reassure the Deputy that this case is very much ongoing in my Department. It has not been and will not be forgotten. As soon as I receive the independent expert advice, I will act on it as quickly as possible. I am very conscious that people have been awaiting this for a long time and obviously they would like to get an answer as quickly as possible. I commit to the Deputy that I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Deportation Orders (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I wish to reassure the Deputy and repeat what I said yesterday that my Department has taken and will continue to take a pragmatic approach and most importantly a compassionate approach to immigration arrangements in the context of Covid-19. The approach to deportation orders will continue for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic. A decision to suspend the issuing of negative...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Deportation Orders (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy outlined, we are in a very difficult and complex situation. Taking one action can potentially have an impact in another space. It is really important to have joined-up thinking and provide as much reassurance to everybody who is impacted by this. I can speak to the Deputy separately about the individual cases. We want to reassure people that they will not be deported...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic Violence Services (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: In response to both Deputies, information is key. It is very important that victims of domestic abuse, violence and sexual abuse know what supports are available to them. A key recommendation of the O'Malley report, which then fed into Supporting a Victim's Journey, was that there should be greater access to information in different forms and through different media. At the implementation...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Pardons (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, representatives of the Michael O'Donohoe memorial project have gathered a considerable amount of material relating to this particular case, including a transcript of the trial from the mid-1880s. They have met with officials in my Department and provided material in support of an application for a presidential pardon under Article 13.6 of Bunreacht na...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Support Services (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: One of the things that has struck me at the last few meetings I have had on the development and modernisation of the family law system is that it is not just about new courts, judges or systems but also about making sure that ancillary supports are provided as well. We must ensure that it is not just the physical environment that is conducive to helping families to get through very difficult...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic Violence Services (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputy Murnane O'Connor for her question. Regarding her query about measures taken to combat increased domestic abuse in Carlow, I will respond in more detail later but would emphasise that our collective approach is an all-encompassing national one and will continue thus. There is no doubt that domestic abuse incidents have increased during the pandemic. We also know that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic Violence Services (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Deputy Murnane O'Connor has raised very valid points and that is why it is so important that the aforementioned audit takes place. It will be concluded by March of next year and will take into account the fact that there are also housing and social welfare support issues involved here. Work is being done by Tusla at the moment to review the current bed capacity in order to ensure that we...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Support Services (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: We need an overhaul of the operation of the family justice system to ensure that it becomes more efficient, that our courts are more family-friendly and that we put the family at the centre of all the work done. I am very much aware of the concerns that the Deputy has raised about parental alienation. This is a very complex area and, like her, I have met many people who have raised concerns...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Support Services (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: When any couple or family decides to separate, it is a difficult position, and when children are involved it can be even more difficult. This is particularly the case with the involvement of young children. We have all engaged and met with constituents and people who have gone through such difficult experiences. It is really important that the right supports are given to those families by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Unfortunately, I have not seen the programme yet, but I will watch it over the weekend. I have read much of what was in the report. What is important here from a justice point of view is that the Garda has the capabilities and, in the same way as was outlined in the previous question, that the legislation is in place to ensure that it can do its work, and that it has the numbers to make...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic Violence (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Since my appointment as Minister, I have significantly prioritised tackling domestic abuse and supporting victims. I assure the Deputy that I am working collectively with my colleagues and with our partners to address the immediate needs of victims of domestic abuse and, going forward, to put in place a system designed and built around their needs. With regard to his specific question about...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic Violence (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy outlined, that work is happening in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman and his team are currently undertaking an audit, which is due to be completed early in the new year. It is about much more than just bed spaces; it is about ensuring the appropriate services are there and that people in State agencies are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic Violence (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: This is not within the remit of my Department, but my understanding is that the review will be concluded in the new year. I think the timeline that has been set is for it to be done by April. A suite of different actions are being taken at the moment. We have the audit to look at all of the different Departments and services and the support that they provide and how we can put in place a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: European Court of Justice Rulings (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: There is a fine line. Obviously, we want to ensure we protect people's privacy, but also that An Garda Síochána has the powers to do its work. It is important that we provide the Garda with the technical expertise, the financial support and the legislative underpinning it needs to do its work. The Garda is continuing to do that work. I have some of the figures relating to that...