Results 101-120 of 11,589 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is causation.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Oh dear.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Senator Higgins gave the example of a statement to the effect that a company has been shut down on five occasions in the past ten years. If that statement is absolutely true, no one who I am aware of would contemplate issuing defamation proceedings in respect of it. They would not get a lawyer to stand over it. A solicitor has got to swear an affidavit of verification in respect of it. If...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have no objection. We can go back to section 11.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Equipment (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together. I am informed that the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published detailed guidelines for use by Public Sector Bodies when planning procurement of ICT goods and services. These guidelines address a range of cybersecurity domains including supply chain security. The NCSC has also recently published, in draft form,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The delivery of effective data protection regulation is acknowledged as an important policy objective of Government. The Programme for Government provides that the Government will “Invest in the Data Protection Commission (DPC) to ensure it can deliver on its mandate”. Ensuring a well-functioning digital regulatory environment for businesses to grow, employ and innovate is a key...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Budget 2026 (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am committed to progressing and implementing policies aimed at increasing the use of community sanctions that reduce offending, divert people away from imprisonment, and provide effective rehabilitation. Restorative justice is a key component of this work. In April 2025, I approved the publication of the Probation Service restorative justice plan, ‘Restoring Relationships:...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Budget 2026 (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Bail Supervision Scheme (BSS) offers courts an alternative option to remanding a young person to detention by providing them with the possibility of granting bail with intensive supervision supports. The scheme both reduces the need for remand places and also provides an opportunity to focus on developing successful community resources designed to prevent young people from engaging in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Artificial Intelligence (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department complies with the latest guidance on the use of AI including the “Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service”, issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in May of this year and with guidance issued to all Government Departments in June 2023 by The National Cyber...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The removal of people who are involved in criminality and those who are a danger to society is a priority for me as Minister and my Department works closely with An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service to ensure high risk persons are prioritised for removal from Ireland. I can advise the Deputy that on Monday 13 October 2025, removal orders were enforced against 23 Romanian...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government is committed to ensuring that victims of sexual violence feel safe and supported. Victims who have reason to fear for their safety following the release of a convicted perpetrator have several legal avenues to seek protection. The Domestic Violence Act 2018 provides for applications to be made to court which are tailored to the level of risk and urgency faced by the victim....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Investigations (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241, 243 and 244 together. I can assure the Deputy that my Department takes seriously any evidence of hostile state activity, including efforts by other states to exert influence or impede on our national interest. Ireland, like any other democratic state, is not immune from the risk posed by espionage or other activities aimed at compromising the security...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) was brought under the remit of my Department in June this year, as part of the Government’s commitment to ensuring the proper alignment of our national security infrastructure. The NCSC is responsible for the State's Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE) function. CSIRT-IE is an internationally...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. Returning people who do not have permission to remain in Ireland is undertaken through voluntary returns and deportation. Both types of returns are essential for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. It is the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Budget 2026 (15 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Providing reception conditions, including accommodation and other basic supports, to international protection applicants is a requirement of Irish and EU law. Under the EU reception conditions directive, IPAS residents and families are given access to housing, food, clothing and other necessities. Depending on their accommodation placement, residents will have access to self-catering...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Budget 2026 (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 670 and 671 together. I was delighted to recently secure a current funding allocation of €12 million in Budget 2026 for the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). This is a very substantial increase of €4.1 million. This increased funding is due to the significant expansion in scope and role of the centre as a consequence of the NIS2...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Housing Schemes (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Due to anti social behaviour at the Haywood site in Clonmel, officials from my Department met with representatives from Tipperary County Council, An Garda Síochána and Tuath Housing on 29 September, further to an earlier meeting on 11 August. An update was provided by An Garda Síochána and Garda resourcing in Clonmel and the wider functional area was also discussed....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. Returning people who do not have permission to remain in Ireland is undertaken through voluntary returns and deportation. Both types of returns are essential for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. It is the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of Garda transfers in and out, within the Kildare/Carlow Division in 2024 and up to 30 September 2025. Year 2024 2025 (end Sept) Transfer In 70 81 Transfer out 51 68 The Garda Commissioner is responsible under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I refer to Parliamentary Questions 888 of 17 September 2025 regarding “the amount that An Garda Síochána spent on hiring external jewellery valuers to carry out work on its behalf in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form.” The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. The...