Results 11,581-11,600 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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...

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

Helen McEntee: We all regret that this has taken so long and has been ongoing for a number of years. Other member states that have already introduced legislation in their jurisdictions based on the clarifications I just mentioned have had to change that legislation again. It is important that when we introduce and pass our legislation, it is the best it can be and that it provides absolute clarity for An...

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

Helen McEntee: I am strongly committed to tackling all forms of corruption and white-collar crime. The Deputy will be aware that last week I announced my intention to lead a new cross-Government plan to tackle these issues, following 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...

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

Helen McEntee: This is the reason we asked Mr. James Hamilton and those who worked with him to produce this report. It was to identify ways in which we can support the different agencies. This report will be implemented not just by my Department but also the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, working with An Garda...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Court of Justice of the European Union struck down the EU data retention directive in 2014 on the basis that it constituted a disproportionate interference with the rights to privacy and data protection enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Since that time, the court has continued to deal with a range of cases referred to it in what is a complex and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Courts Service (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am committed, as is the Government, to ensuring adequate resources for the courts to maintain access to justice for all citizens, not just throughout this pandemic but at all times. This commitment was reinforced recently with the highest ever budgetary allocation for the justice sector, including €158.8 million for the Courts Service. This included €8 million for the new...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Courts Service (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I fully agree with the Deputy. We all heard this morning the figure of 122,000 as the initial backlog of summonses. Significant work has been done to clear that. There have been 97,000 cases heard since July alone in this particular area, but there was a backlog before Covid-19 started. That is why we need to make sure we have additional resources. It is why we need to look at the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Courts Service (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Unfortunately, Covid-19 has impacted all our lives, and it is no different for the Courts Service, those who work in it and those who avail of its services. It is important to thank those who work in the Courts Service, our legal professions and An Garda Síochána because, while they have had to put a lot of cases on hold particularly since the summer, there have been meetings every...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Judicial Appointments (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: There are currently three vacancies on the national courts; one on the Supreme Court, one on a Circuit Court and one on a District Court. As I outlined to the House on 26 November, it has been the practice to maintain a vacancy on the Supreme Court due to the reduction in waiting times achieved in that court in recent years. However, this arrangement is always kept under review, having...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Judicial Appointments (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I reassure the Deputy that bringing forward legislation to establish a new commission to replace the JAAB is a commitment of the programme for Government. I have committed to doing this as quickly as possible. It is important that we have a very clear process and that people understand it. I have just outlined the current process. I have adhered to that process at every stage of the six...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Judicial Appointments (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I do not want to pre-empt this process but I hope to bring the legislation forward before the end of this term. If that does not happen, I will introduce it very early in the new year. I would like to see the legislation enacted in the first half of next year and avoid allowing the debate to go on throughout 2021.

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government commits to a health-led approach to drugs misuse. Substance abuse and addiction affects people from all walks of life. By treating the use of substances as a public health issue, rather than solely as a criminal issue, we can better help individuals, their families, and the communities in which we all live. The National Drugs Strategy,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I once again offer my condolences to the family of the late Shane O'Farrell. As I said the last time I spoke on this issue, I understand that he was an exceptional young man and his death was a terrible tragedy. As the Deputy will be aware, a retired Judge, Gerard Haughton, is currently conducting the scoping exercise into the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of the late Shane...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. The significant level of funding provided over recent years is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, there are now some 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide. Budget 2021 will allow for the...