Results 11,641-11,660 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible, in law, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the provision of employee welfare supports.  As Minister, I have no role in the matter. I am very conscious of the hazardous nature of the work undertaken by members of An Garda Sícohána and...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána.  Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands, including deployment of personnel among the Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no...

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

Helen McEntee: The Stormont House Agreement, concluded by the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Parties in December 2014, provides for a framework of measures to address the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland. Work is at an advanced stage on legislative measures to contribute to delivery on the Government's commitments under the Stormont House Agreement. In September 2015, the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Justice Strategy (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I would first like to thank the Deputy for his extensive work on initiating development of the new Youth Justice Strategy in his previous role. As the Deputy will already be aware, development of the new Youth Justice Strategy 2020-2026 includes consideration of the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice...

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

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that addressing all forms of domestic abuse and sexual violence is a key priority for me and my Department. We are continuously working to ensure that we have robust legislation, policies and infrastructure that can support and assist victims and hold perpetrators to account. We are also working proactively to raise awareness in society about domestic abuse and...

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

Helen McEntee: The Department of Justice is committed to promoting a culture of continuous learning and professional development with a view to enhancing organisational and individual capability.  The Department invests in a range of courses and programmes designed to address any gaps in knowledge and expertise.   Staff also attend conferences and seminars to ensure that they are...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. The Public Appointments Service (PAS), on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, manages the initial recruitment stages for selection of Garda Trainees, with the final stages of the recruitment process in which candidates are vetted,...

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...