Results 11,581-11,600 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge (8 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Is mian liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhforáiltear mar a leanas in alt 44 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924 (Uimh. 10 de 1924): ‘Sa mhéid gur féidir é agus gach ní a bhaineann leis an scéal d’áireamh, beidh ag an mBreitheamh Cuarda, a ceapfar d’aon Chuaird ina bhfuil an Ghaedhilg in úsáid...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (8 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Under Section 9 of the Aliens Act, 1935 a person who wishes to assume a name other than that by which he or she was ordinarily known prior to reaching the age of majority is required to obtain a change of name licence from my Department to do so.  In order for this name change to take legal effect a deed poll would also need to be executed. Applicants wishing to apply for a change...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (8 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 provides for a statutory report on the employment of people with disabilities in the public sector. This report is compiled by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, from information provided by all public bodies staffed by civil servants, and gives details of the number of people with a disability employed in the Civil...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I would like to inform the Deputy that my Department has implemented the requirements of the Work Safely Protocol in each of its buildings and in particular, the requirements of Section D3.  My Department has the following infection prevention and control arrangements in place which provide for physical distancing across its essential operations where staff are required to attend...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senators for their comments. Section 115 is connected with sections 116 and 117, the sections they oppose. Given that these are all integral parts of the functioning of Part 18, I might outline the reasons behind it. We are trying, inasmuch as possible in respect of this legislation in its entirety, not just of the justice parts, is to mirror arrangements we have with the UK....

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Bill sets out a clear set of criteria in accordance with EU law that we are requiring the UK to adhere to. Therefore, in order for us to assign it as a safe third country, it will have to fulfil those criteria. We are very clear that it is not just a blanket because we are trying to keep everything the same. That set of criteria still exists and we will expect it to adhere to it.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The reason we have the age of 14 is that under EURODAC, which is the European database for international protection and comparisons of fingerprints for applicants for international protection, the age is 14. We are complying with this EURODAC regulation from 2013. Therefore, it is the case at a European level but it is also the same within the UK, so, again, we are mirroring what we had...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: It is an issue we can discuss in more detail later. This part is an integral part, and the overall Part 18 would not work without it.The amendment would delete a provision whereby an application for international protection is admissible if a person arrives from a safe third country and it is important that we have that provision within this legislation. It is necessary to provide the basis...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will speak to the three amendments together and re-stress that we are trying to mirror what we currently have. I take the points that the Senators are making and apologise for not being able to take the Commencement matter to which the Senator referred. I hope to be in the House next week for the wider debate on the Private Members' Bill that has been put down. We are following EU...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will come back to the Senator on the issue of family reunification. What we trying to do is mirror the existing process for family reunification. We must have a system whereby, if somebody is granted protection in a safe country, we continue to adhere to the regulations that have been set out. It might not necessarily be the Dublin regulation if the transition period ends without the...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: What we are trying to do is mirror what we currently have in that sense. I will come back with more details, if that is acceptable.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: There is a view that this perhaps is not necessary. What the Senator is trying to do, as she outlined, is put in place protections. The amendment would insert a new section 51A requirement to inform a person, who is the subject of a return order, of that legal assistance. However, a person who is the subject of a return order already should have received the information required under...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Yes, that is my understanding.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will speak to the three amendments together. Senator Higgins has touched on a number of points in her comments. We have quite a clearly set out process for people going through the international protection application process. It is very distressing and can be very difficult for people to get a letter saying they have a number of days to make services aware of what they intend to do....

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I, too, appreciate where Senator Higgins is coming from and when it comes to dealing with children, we need to take every precaution. We always need to be sure that we are treating them, and every individual, in the way that they deserve, and that is with respect. Insofar as possible, and I hate to repeat this point, but what we are trying to do is to mimic and to essentially put in place a...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Again, the section aligns Ireland with the current regulations. It would be very difficult to create or provide for a dual system where there is one period of detention for cases transferring to EU member states and a different one for those transferring to the UK. I get the Senator's point that nowhere in Ireland is 12 hours away, even from the tip to the bottom of the country. However,...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: We have already discussed the possibility of adding further criteria and identifying what is a safe third country. There are very strict criteria, in line with EU regulation, that we are applying to the UK if it is to receive that status. We are not deviating at all. We are not relying on the UK saying that everything is fine. We are setting and applying a strict set of criteria. The...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: For the purposes of this Bill, the only country I am proposing to designate is the UK. I note that the amendment refers to "changes to the list of safe third countries" and not changes within those countries. Therefore, it is specifically the list. Any new designation for a safe third country is required to be brought before the Houses and that is specified within this. Obviously for the...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am not opposed to the idea, but it is not appropriate in this legislation. It might arise in other legislation.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: If it does not require legislation, it is something I would be happy to look at it.