Results 11,621-11,640 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Firearms Licences (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: It would be premature to suggest that. A process has been set up and we have a report which will be examined by the justice committee. The Deputy will have the opportunity to make those points at the committee. I welcome the Deputy’s support for the review. One of my predecessors in office, Dermot Ahern, stated in 2009 during the debate when the licensing system was last amended...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the media reports alleging that GCHQ in the UK has tapped undersea communications cables. The media reports also suggest that this may have been linked to surveillance being carried out within the UK's own jurisdiction. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, has already been in contact with the British Embassy on this issue. It has been conveyed that it is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is no question of the Irish Government agreeing to the situation outlined by the Deputy. The UK legislation is for the UK to decide. I have made it very clear that we have a very serious approach to any interception of telecommunications in this country. We have very clear laws about it. It is only used where there is a question of criminal activity or where the security of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I do not accept the premise of quite a number of points made by the Deputy. For a start, I absolutely believe that most right-thinking citizens would welcome the State's taking action to protect its citizens. Certainly, that is very much on people's minds following the Paris attacks in particular. My belief is that citizens want to be protected. I have already told the Deputy that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Communications Surveillance (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I believe they will follow the law that is there and my experience suggests that is the situation. We want strong law that protects the rights of citizens but when appropriate and in the interests of dealing with criminality, particularly international criminal activity which we know is increasingly carried out via the Internet, it is important that our laws are strong enough to deal with...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy has already pointed out that a number of commissions are operating. This is due to the response of the Government to legitimate public concerns and concerns of Members. The Deputy has picked out three particular cases. However, it would not be right for me to pick out particular cases. In each case, the same approach is being taken, but I cannot anticipate any outcome. It is a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy has spoken about the length of time involved. In regard to the cases that have been referred to the review mechanism, many of them have been on people's desks and in various places in the system over the past decade and some cases go back much further. Many of these cases have been through a variety of processes, including independent investigations or the courts, while no action...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The decision was taken that there would be a review of all of the written material, and that decision stands. Many of these families have lived with their concerns over a long period. It is important we take adequate time to examine the complaints and that we give the counsel the time to come to a decision on what recommendation they should make. It would be counterproductive to start...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is precisely that question the counsel are addressing. They are examining whether there are cases that will require further action, such as a commission. It is a serious matter to refer an individual case or to set up a commission of inquiry. Therefore, we must be sure this is the best way forward for those families for whom this is recommended. I think the Deputy will agree that it is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government, as part of its response to the report by Seán Guerin SC, took the initiative to have an independent review carried out of the allegations of Garda misconduct which had been submitted to my Department, to An Taoiseach and to a number of other public representatives. This unprecedented decision was taken with a view to getting an objective and independent legal view on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I said, the number of cases I referred to the independent review is quite large, and there is a wide variety of cases. I did originally say that the investigation would, I hoped, take a number of months, but in fact it is taking longer. One of the reasons it is taking longer, of course, is the complexity of some of the cases, the working through of the material and the amount of written...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is referring to the draft Order proposing the establishment of a Commission of Investigation which I published on 19 December 2014, and which includes the terms of reference for the Commission. This Commission of Investigation arises on foot of the recommendations of Mr Seán Guerin, SC, in his report of 6 May 2014 to An Taoiseach, based on his examination of how allegations...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Controls (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I first of all wish to assure the Deputy that there are currently no queues and all applicants for services at the public offices on Burgh Quay are dealt with on the same day. I have already provided the Deputy with a comprehensive response to a similar question on 11th December last. The public offices in Burgh Quay service two separate functions – one dealing with non-EEA...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Tackling burglary is a joint priority for both myself and the Garda Commissioner, and I assure the Deputy that I am in ongoing contact with the Commissioner with a view to ensuring that there is an effective policing response in place, and that Garda operations take account of evolving trends and patterns in burglary offences. An Garda Síochána pursue a range of strategies to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sexual Offences Data (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: On 27 November, I published the General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2014, which amongst other proposals, creates two new offences of purchasing, in the context of prostitution, sexual services. My primary concern, in introducing these provisions, is to vindicate the human rights of those trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Over 80% of women trafficked...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Inspectorate Reports (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will no doubt recall, I requested the Garda Inspectorate to consider the issues identified in the report by Seán Guerin SC relating to Garda practices and procedures which come within the Inspectorate's remit. The Inspectorate included this work in its report on Crime Investigation which was published on 11 November 2014. That report deals with the issues identified by Mr...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is referring to the Commission of Investigation being established on foot of the recommendations of Mr Seán Guerin, SC, in his report of 6 May 2014 on how allegations made by Sergeant Maurice McCabe concerning certain cases connected to the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division were handled. I published the draft Order proposing the establishment of this Commission of Investigation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Justice Inspectorate (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am of course familiar with the recommendations of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality concerning the establishment of a Criminal Justice Inspectorate similar to the Criminal Justice Inspection in Northern Ireland. The Committee's recommendation was made in the context of its review of the operation of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The Deputy will be aware of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: One of my priorities is to maintain and enhance the capacity of An Garda Síochána to protect the public, and in particular to prevent and detect crime. It is true that Garda strength has been affected by retirements, and that is why I was very pleased to be able to secure approval for the resumption of Garda recruitment. As the Deputy will be aware, 100 new recruits entered...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The principal objective of the proposed International Protection Bill will be the introduction of a single procedure for the examination of applications for international protection in Ireland. This arises from the commitment in the Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 to legislate to reduce the length of time an asylum applicant spends in the direct provision system through the...