Results 11,721-11,740 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Decentralisation Programme Data (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware the decentralisation programme launched in 2003 was a policy of the Government at that time. As a result of that programme a number of offices and divisions from across the Department of Justice and Equality were decentralised. Details are provided in the table below. The decentralisation programme was suspended in 2008 and subsequently cancelled by Government in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Status Applications (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have no plans at present to introduce a one-off scheme to clear all protection applications currently on hand. The length of time applicants spend in the protection process is a matter to be addressed and you will be aware that an independent Working Group was set up by Government in October 2014 to report on improvements to the protection process, including direct provision and supports...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Powers (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer the Deputy to the conclusions of the Supreme Court in the case referred to by him. The Court noted that the power conferred by section 3 of the Firearms Act 1925 on Garda Superintendents to grant firearms certificates is one of a wide range of powers in various areas conferred by legislation. In this regard, reference was made to the powers conferred on An Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed Circuit Television Systems (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I regret the delay in reverting to the Deputy in relation to this matter. I understand from the Garda authorities that the installation of the relevant CCTV system has been undertaken in partnership with Cork City Council which has financed the scheme and, accordingly, the expenditure involved has not been charged to the Garda Síochána. I have also been informed that planning...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Text Alert Scheme, which was launched in September 2013, was piloted initially in a number of locations and developed in cooperation with Muintir na Tíre, Neighbourhood Watch, the Irish Farmers Association and related stakeholders. It provides a further mechanism for Gardaí to provide crime prevention information to community contacts who in turn forward the information...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Consultancy Contracts Data (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has employed no external consultants, professional companies or advisers in relation to the Action Plan for Jobs since 2012.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales Legislation (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, I am not in a position in my capacity as Minister for Justice and Equality to provide legal advice in response to Parliamentary Questions. The general position, however, is that conditions applicable to the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor are set out in the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2011. Under section 17(3) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, it is already...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Staff (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts 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 inquiries made and the information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table below: Grade Location 2011 2012 2013 Current...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are currently no plans to hold a Constitutional referendum on the subject matter referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including fully sworn members and Reserve Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: An Garda Síochána pursue a range of strategies to tackle burglary crime, including in particular the coordinated national strategy under Operation Fiacla. This was introduced in early 2012 and has had considerable success. As of the end of December 2014, 11,688 persons have been arrested, and charges have been brought against 6,711 persons under Operation Fiacla. In the Dublin...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Firearms (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have asked the Garda Commissioner for a report on these matters and will write to the Deputy when it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: North South Ministerial Council (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that justice and policing matters are not sectoral areas that are yet included in the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) framework and related issues, therefore, such as the security situation, do not feature formally on the agenda for Plenary meetings of the NSMC. North-South co-operation in these areas takes place bilaterally. However, the Northern Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: North South Ministerial Council (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, justice and policing matters are not sectoral areas that are yet included in the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) framework and such issues, therefore, do not feature formally on the agenda for Plenary meetings of the NSMC. North-South co-operation in these areas takes place bilaterally. However, the health and child welfare aspects of child protection are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that for good reason it is not the policy, nor would it be in the public interest, to comment on matters relating to the personal security of specific individuals. However, as a matter of course, An Garda Siochána continually keep such matters under review.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Investigation (14 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: Commissions of Investigation (14 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: Prison Building Programme (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am satisfied that the Irish Prison Service (IPS) is committed to the principles of fair, independent and transparent procurement and achieving value for money, subject to the overriding requirement to ensure that goods and services, including the provision of major building projects, are delivered in a safe and secure manner. It should also be noted that procurement in the IPS is subject...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Building Programme (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 440 together. The New Cork prison project is a design & build project. The contractual construction cost is €33,706,391 excluding VAT. The current estimate for completing the construction contract is €35.5m (excluding VAT). The only significant addition to the original Cork prison construction project is the inclusion of a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Building Programme (14 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 442 together. The Irish Prison Service (IPS) issued an Invitation to Tender for Construction Consultancy Services under a Multi Operator Framework in June 2009. The tender documents provided details of the services to be procured, outlined the procurement process, provided details of the evaluation procedure and associated criteria together with the...