Results 11,501-11,520 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Welfare (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Oversight and evaluation are important elements in developing and improving our penal system and I welcome the recent publication of the report from the Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture (CPT), together with the responses returned by Ireland in respect of the issues raised by the Committee.  I consider that this CPT report is perhaps...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I gave a full account of all matters related to the filling of the Supreme Court vacancy during the statements and answers on judicial appointments in the Dáil on 26 November last. I informed the House then that I had spoken with the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, Minister Ryan, and the Attorney General between 11 and 14 July in line with the Cabinet Handbook.  I then brought a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Policy (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Tackling domestic abuse, which includes coercive control, and providing infrastructure that addresses victims needs comprehensively, is the collective aim of the Government and is a priority for me as Minister for Justice. As the Deputy may be aware the Programme for Government commits to an audit of how responsibility for Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Oversight and evaluation are important elements in developing and improving our penal system and I welcome the recent publication of the report from the Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture (CPT), together with the responses returned by Ireland in respect of the issues raised by the Committee. As the Deputy, one area highlighted by the Committee for attention is the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am strongly committed to tackling all forms of corruption and white-collar crime and the Deputy will be aware that I last week announced my intention to lead a new cross-government plan to tackle these issues, following the publication of the Review of Structures and Strategies to Prevent, Investigate and Penalise Economic Crime and Corruption. I intend to publish and start to implement an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: In October, Minister O'Gorman and I brought the report of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process to Government and published it thereafter. The report outlines recommendations to replace the Direct Provision system and proposals for process improvements in the International Protection system. A White...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I wish to assure the deputy that tackling domestic abuse and providing structures that meet the needs of victims in the most appropriate and comprehensive way to ensure a cohesive national response is the collective aim of the Government and is a priority for me as Minister for Justice. With regard to the Deputy's specific query in relation to measures taken to combat domestic abuse in Co....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I would firstly like to assure the Deputy that my Department has consistently adopted a pragmatic approach in relation to immigration arrangements in the context of COVID-19. The pragmatic approach to deportation orders will continue for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. A decision to suspend the issuing of negative international protection decisions during level 5 restrictions had...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Rights (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Ireland ratified the UN Convention against Torture in 2002. The Optional Protocol to the Convention (OPCAT) dates from 2007; it is in addition to the Convention and is designed to be preventive in nature. Ireland is a signatory to the protocol and will ratify it once the necessary legislation is in place to provide for National Preventative Mechanisms (NPMs) to inspect and monitor places...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Procedures (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: At the outset I wish to emphasise that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána and its operations, including the use of protective equipment. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I understand that the review of the use of anti-spit guards being conducted by An Garda Síochána is almost complete and a final report...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The application for a labour market access permission, for the person referred to by the Deputy, is currently pending as the Immigration Service of my Department is waiting for the applicant to provide identity documents or to confirm the efforts they have made to establish their identity. To date, the applicant’s responses have not provided either identity documents or an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am acutely aware of this tragic case and all of the circumstances surrounding it and once again I would like to express my deepest sympathies to Ms Fox for the terrible heartache she has suffered and to commend her for her bravery and dedication to working towards honouring her daughter's memory. As has been reported in the media, I did meet with Ms Fox earlier this week where we discussed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Extradition Arrangements (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware the legal basis for extradition in this State up to 2004 was provided for solely by way of the Extradition Act, 1965. Since 2004, surrenders of persons between the Member States of the European Union have operated on the basis of the European Arrest Warrant Act, 2003 which came into effect on 1 January 2004. Extraditions from non-EU States have remained under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Applications (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in 14 provincial court offices. However, in order to be of assistance, I have had...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department reimburses staff for membership fees paid to professional bodies, where membership of the professional body is a requirement for the staff member to practice in the role for which they were employed or where membership of the professional body is key to their role in the Department. In 2019, 40 staff were reimbursed a total of €12,041.75 for annual membership. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Probation Service that the Tipperary Probation Service team have approximately 66 operational Community Service Orders. A number of sites have re-opened across the county, aligned with Government health guidance, with more to open in the New Year. Access to site work is addressed as part of both the assessment stage and in the management of the Community Service Order. I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Tackling domestic abuse and providing supports for victims is a priority for me as Minister and for Government. I am working collectively with my colleagues to ensure we have an appropriate national response that supports victims and holds perpetrators to account. I would remind the Deputy that while funding for frontline services is under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: House Sales (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The courts are, subject only to the constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. Section 4 of the Family Home Protection Act 1976, allows a court, in certain circumstances, to dispense with the consent of a spouse to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the total strength of An Garda Síochána as at 30 November 2020, the latest date for which figures are currently available, is 14,519. Of this total, 10,535 are male and 3,984 are female. These Garda members are supporting by over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide. As the Deputy will be aware, An Garda Síochána has been allocated...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for personnel and human resources matters. I have sought the information requested from An Garda Síochána and will write to the Deputy when I have received it.