Results 11,501-11,520 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 291 together. In enforcing the law in respect of deportations, Ireland is no different to other countries who also remove individuals who have no lawful right to remain within their territory. Ireland, like other EU member states, uses deportation of illegal immigrants and failed asylum seekers as the policy of last resort. The process leading to a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Security (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Canine Unit remains in place at Wheatfield Prison and is fully staffed. Training of drug detection teams is ongoing with one course just completed and another course to be commenced in February. We envisage to have all training complete and to have passive teams fully operational by the end of May 2015. Having assessed the position in relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the person referred to by the Deputy, who currently has permission to reside in the State until 6 May, 2015. The application is being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that following the refusal of their asylum application, the person concerned proceeded to lodge an application for subsidiary protection. This application was considered and refused with the formal refusal decision having been issued to the person concerned by letter dated 8th December, 2014. The case file of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Referendum Campaigns (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will establish a Referendum Commission this week in respect of the Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015. Early establishment of the Referendum Commission will enable it to begin the preparatory work needed to carry out its function of preparing information on the referendum...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 29 July, 2011. The person concerned initiated judicial review proceedings challenging the Deportation Order made in respect of him. Those proceedings were struck out in favour of the Department on 7 February, 2013 and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department to refer the Deputy to the replies to his previous Parliamentary Questions No. 133 of 4 December, 2014 and No. 126 of 11 December 2014 in which it was stated that the person concerned submitted a fresh application for residence in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Free...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Decisions in relation to the provision of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. In that context, the Deputy will be aware that I recently secured a further €10 million for investment in the Garda fleet of which €7 million was made available in 2014. This funding brings the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Expenditure (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the amount spent on fuel for Garda vehicles in 2013 was €10.71 million and €9.42 million in 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Meetings (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I met with family members of the victim in the case to which the Deputy refers and their legal representative to hear directly from them of their concerns surrounding the case and their call for an inquiry. The Deputy will be aware that this tragic case of murder was one which was inquired into previously by the late Judge Henry Barron. I am currently finalising a review of material which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government approved the General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill in July 2013. A copy of the Scheme is available on my Department's website. The Scheme was referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in July 2013 for the purposes of drafting a Bill. While it is my intention to proceed with this legislation at the earliest possible opportunity, it is not possible at this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Seizures (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have asked the Garda Commissioner for a report in relation to the matter and will write to the Deputy as soon as I have further information.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service Reform (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is a vital element of the criminal justice system. The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted in certain circumstances for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Haddington Road Agreement Implementation (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has overarching responsibility for human resource management policy in the Civil Service and his Department is currently considering options for advancing the objective of grade restructuring as one of a number of actions to strengthen Human Resource Strategy and resourcing policies. Action 16 of the recent Civil Service Renewal Plan also...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 314 together. One of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The case to which the Deputy refers is amongst the complaints referred to the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach, with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that I have no direct role in operational road traffic enforcement which is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I can, however, assure the Deputy that one of An Garda Síochána's strategic objectives is to provide a safe environment for all road users and enforcement remains high and determined throughout the country. I am informed that while the number...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including community Gardaí, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Legislation (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Responsibility for the enforcement of the current gaming and betting legislation rests with An Garda Síochána. There is no provision in that legislation for the licensing of on-line gambling operators. The Minister for Finance has legislation currently before the Oireachtas that will update the law as it pertains to betting only. The Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013 provides for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Prison Service (27 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that one of the key objectives of the Irish Prison Service (IPS) and Probation Service joint strategy is improving outcomes for women offenders and in 2014 both Services launched the Joint Probation Service/IPS Strategy 2014-2016 for women offenders called "An Effective Response to Women Who Offend". The strategy reflects on current international research and...