Results 11,601-11,620 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that I am very much aware of the impact of crime on rural communities and I am committed to ensuring that there is strong, visible community policing right across rural Ireland. The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, underlines the need for close engagement between An Garda Síochána and local communities. This is an essential feature of the strong...

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

Helen McEntee: I am determined to overhaul the operation of the Family Justice system, to ensure we have more efficient and user-friendly family court system, that puts the family at the centre of its work. A Family Justice Oversight Group has recently been established in my department which, in addition to department officials, also includes representation from the judiciary, the Courts Service, the...

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

Helen McEntee: Since my appointment as Minister, I have made the enactment of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017, which I know will be known as Coco's Law, by the end of the year a top priority. I know from recent correspondence received from the Deputy that she fully agrees that legislation in this area needs to be enacted as quickly as possible. I am very grateful...

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

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made regarding the cases in Cork city and county. The Courts Service...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commemorative Events (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Decade of Centenaries is a programme of commemoration of the period from 1912 to 1923.  The Programme is broad and inclusive, complementing the on-going programme of formal State commemorations with special centenary events on the anniversaries of key historical events. It seeks to record the economic and social conditions of the period, the shifts in...

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

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, published in September 2018, emphasises the importance of policing being seen as a profession.  A commitment to continuous professional development, competence and a body of knowledge about policing, which is continuously developed and updated, and empowerment of all personnel were identified...

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

Helen McEntee: Since the coming into force of the International Protection Act 2015 on 31 December 2016, permission to remain is considered as part of the single procedure mechanism provided for under that Act. This encompasses the two international protection elements of refugee status and subsidiary protection as well as permission to remain. All applicants refused international protection have a...

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

Helen McEntee: Appointments to the Judiciary are made in accordance with Articles 13.9 and 35.1 of the Constitution, by the President acting on the advice of the Government.  This is a Constitutional function that cannot be transferred or delegated.  The Constitutional prerogative to advise the President on judicial appointments lies with the Government alone. As with all judicial vacancies, a...

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

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made regarding the former courthouse at Boghall Road, Bray and the Courts Service...

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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, community-based CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006. This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must: - be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee, - have the prior support of the relevant Local Authority, which must also...

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

Helen McEntee: The Immigration Service of my Department has made significant efforts to continue to process applications as quickly as possible in the areas referred to by the Deputy during the pandemic. However, there has unavoidably been some delays. The Programme for Government commits to processing applications for international protection at first instance with the aim to reduce median...

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

Helen McEntee: Diverting young people away from getting involved in criminal activity is a key priority for the Government and the exploitation of young people and children is a particular concern.  As the Deputy will be aware, while an adult may be prosecuted for a crime which has been committed by a child who has been incited to do so by the adult, there is currently no...

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

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 67 together. A new Strategy Statement to cover the period 2020 to 2023 is being developed by my Department. This new strategy will reflect the relevant Programme for Government commitments and the appropriate reporting mechanisms which will enable my Department to monitor, track and report progress on a regular basis. I intend to deliver actions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including operational matters and the deployment of resources.  As Minister, I have no role in these matters.  I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps all operational deployments under continual review in the context of policing...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the community in Drogheda has faced significant challenges in recent times as a result of the actions of organised crime groups, which have severely affected their feelings of safety. I know that An Garda Síochána has been and will continue to be intensively engaged in bringing those responsible to justice.   The reason that I engaged Vivian Geiran...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Social Behaviour (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government contains a number of commitments to build stronger, safer communities. Within this area a number of actions have been identified and one of those is the establishment of an expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour. The first meeting of the Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour was chaired by the Minister of State with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Mental Health Services (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 73 together. 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...

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

Helen McEntee: I would like to thank to Deputy for raising this issue that has arisen following the recent judgment in the case DPP v. E.C. and Media Outlets.  Officials in my Department are currently examining options to address the main concerns arising from that judgment. I would like to assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to finding the most suitable means to progress any necessary...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government commits to increasing the diversity within An Garda Síochána, prioritising the identification and removal of barriers to recruiting and retaining people from diverse and minority backgrounds. This is in line with the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, which recommended that An Garda...