Results 11,901-11,920 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I have asked my officials what is the precedent here. What I was informed is that no names went to Cabinet. Therefore, I asked the question and my officials in the Department informed me that only one name goes to Cabinet. What we have heard from many previous Ministers for Justice is that only one name ever goes to Cabinet.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am aware of this non-statutory advisory group. I am also aware that this group was established specifically for the sole purpose of appointments of Chief Justice and presidents of courts, not for actual judges, so this did not apply in this regard.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: In making that decision I looked at all of the names myself. Before sending a name to Cabinet, I made my recommendation to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and to the Attorney General. Having had those conversations, I then made a recommendation to Cabinet.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: First, I did not discuss this with the now Supreme Court judge, Mr. Justice Woulfe. I did not discuss this with my former colleague, Deputy Flanagan. I have said that I did have an informal conversation with my colleague and Tánaiste who informed me that Séamus Woulfe had come through the process and that in his view he would make a good judge. He did not tell me that this was to...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Ceann Comhairle has outlined that I cannot get into criteria and I will not get into criteria. This is my job. There are still names of persons who applied for that position sitting on file in my Department. There is still a vacancy and if that vacancy is to be filled, they will be again looked at. It is not for me to get into criteria. There is no specific criteria for me. I do not...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: What I have said is that for me to make that decision and to engage with my colleagues, there is no criteria. However, through the JAAB there are very clear criteria. Where it makes a recommendation, it has to show that the individual has displayed in his or her practice as a barrister or solicitor a degree of competence and a degree of probity appropriate to, and consistent with, the...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I do not think anybody's political persuasion should prevent him or her from being promoted or moving through the ranks of any job, whether for a judicial appointment or not. I was appointed on 27 June, which was a Saturday. On Sunday, 28 June, I came into the Department and, as is customary, I was given a huge amount of notes and information. As part of that information, I was told by my...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am not saying that the Tánaiste is the only person I spoke to. I am saying that he gave his view and made his opinion known. Following that, after I received other names, I looked at those names-----

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I ask the Deputy to please let me answer. It is my role, as the Minister for Justice, to make a recommendation. I made that recommendation to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Attorney General. Deputy Kenny's colleague earlier mentioned the former Minister and Deputy, Dermot Ahern. If the Deputy was to quote from his article this week, what he said...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am happy to take this opportunity to update the House on the appointment by the Government of members of the Judiciary. Over the past century, one of the great successes of the modern Irish State has been the Judiciary, which has consistently acted in a robust and independent fashion and earned the respect of fellow judges in Europe and around the world. Since I was elected to this House,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents to regularise their status, bearing in mind European Union and Common Travel Area commitments. The necessary work to give effect to this commitment is currently being advanced in my Department and is being informed by an assessment of international best...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: A number of FOI requests have been received by my Department in recent days in relation to the appointment of a Supreme Court judge. It is the intention of my Department to publish on its website any relevant records, once they have been compiled.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am aware of reports of the incident referred to by the Deputy which I understand is currently under investigation by An Garda Síochána. As such I'm sure the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment further on this matter. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to enact legislation in this area, and I am supporting the progression of the Harassment, Harmful...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commencement of Legislation (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I wish to assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to establishing the new Parole Board as soon as possible. This is an important Programme for Government commitment and is something I have identified as a priority action for my Department. Furthermore, the Government has supported this commitment with funding in our first Budget to make sure this priority is delivered in 2021. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Judicial appointments 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 on advising the President on judicial appointments lies with the Government alone. Eligible serving Judges who wish to express an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 329 together. The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an independent statutory body established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. I, as Minister, have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the Ombudsman Commission's remit, such as the direction of investigative priorities....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I recently announced that citizenship ceremonies will be temporarily replaced, while COVID-19 restrictions are in place, with a requirement for citizenship applicants to sign an affidavit declaring loyalty to the State. I can confirm that work is at an advanced stage in my Department on the preparation of regulations under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 to make...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Protection (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, there is no specific legislative provision regarding parental alienation in Irish family law. Section 246 of the Children Act 2001 provides for an offence of frightening, bullying or threatening a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to the child's physical, mental or emotional health or wellbeing. There are also legislative provisions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, Community-based CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006. This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must: 1. be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee, 2. have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Extradition Arrangements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, Ireland is a party to the European Convention on Extradition 1957. Under this Convention, Ireland will extradite its own citizens to another party country that will extradite its citizens to Ireland. Ireland has bilateral extradition treaties with the US and Australia. Ireland does not currently have an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates and there...