Results 12,001-12,020 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that I have no functions in relation to the conduct of criminal investigations. A person who is affected by a decision of the kind referred to by the Deputy could seek to discuss the matter with the Garda authorities. More generally, a person who alleges misconduct by a member of the Garda Síochána may make a complaint to the Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Age Identity Cards (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 to 327, inclusive, together. The Garda Age Card is a voluntary proof of age card which may be issued by An Garda Síochána to persons aged 18 years and over under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 2010. The purpose of the card is to verify a person's age in relation to the sale of alcohol and it may also be used in relation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Recruitment competitions to An Garda Síochána are open to all who meet the eligibility criteria which are set out in the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. For those who do meet these requirements, the Admission and Appointment Regulations provide that, as part of the competitive selection process organised by the Public Appointments Service...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following the recent appointment of seven judges, including a serving judge of the District Court, to the Circuit Court, there are currently no vacancies in the Circuit Court. There is currently one vacancy in the District Court, arising from the recent appointment to the Circuit Court. The District Court vacancy will be filled as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the provision and allocation of Garda resources, including mountain bikes, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of her identified operational requirements. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the existing mountain bike stock is considered sufficient to meet policing requirements and that, based upon operational priorities, there are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Information and Communications Technology (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: A detailed financial analysis of the work associated with the substantial technical and administrative measures necessary to commence the provision referred to by the Deputy has recently been concluded by a subgroup of the Criminal Justice (Fixed Charge Penalty System) Working Group. Work is ongoing in relation to making the necessary arrangements for the financing of this project. I hope...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Information and Communications Technology (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a number of PULSE software upgrades are scheduled every year to keep the system up to date with operational requirements and legislative changes such as new offences. In this regard three such software upgrades are planned for 2015 which will include enhancements across all areas of PULSE including summons.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Driver Licence Data (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am making inquiries with the Garda authorities in relation to the Deputy's query and will contact him again when further information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 335 together. The Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill has passed Committee Stage in the Dáil, having passed all stages in the Seanad. However, before the Bill could be taken at Report Stage, a 2013 UK Court of Appeal judgment necessitated a review of the disclosure provisions in both the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Driver Licence Data (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that, 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, which include the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy I have had enquiries made and I am informed that the arrangements in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 to 340, inclusive, together. 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: Firearms Licences (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 341, 345 and 349 together. In light of public safety concernshighlighted by An Garda Síochána and difficulties in the interpretation of the legislation expressed by members of the judiciary, a joint Department of Justice and Equality / An Garda Síochána Working Group was established by my Department to review firearms licensing. The Report...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, under the new Subsidiary Protection Regulations, responsibility for the investigation of subsidiary protection applications rests with the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC). Following the commencement of the new Regulations in November 2013 persons with applications for subsidiary protection on hand with my Department under the previous...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, an issue has arisen in relation to identity documentation submitted by the person concerned with their application for a certificate of naturalisation.The person concerned was requested to forward her original passport in order for it to be authenticated. Upon receipt, the documentation was...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 346 together. I take it the Deputy is referring to the following passages from my Department's recently published Review of Firearms Licensing report: "An Garda Síochána recorded 2,198 incidents involving a firearm between 2009 and February 2014. An Garda Síochána have also advised that between 2009 and 2013 there were 96...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that firearms legislation provides for an appeal to the District Court where a firearms licence has been refused by An Garda Síochána. In addition, there have been a number of judicial review cases in this area in the context of persons whose applications for firearms licences have been refused. The licensing of firearms is a Garda operational matter and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have asked the Garda Commissioner for a report on this matter based on the details supplied and will write to the Deputy when it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the person referred to by the Deputy. As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware from previous answers to questions of this nature, if the person concerned has made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection, it is not the practice to comment on such applications for so long as they remain in the protection process. The Deputy will recall that the reasons for this policy were fully explained in my letter to him dated 31 May, 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Costs (2 Dec 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The expenditure in this subhead relates to payments in respect of compensation and legal costs made to prisoners, staff and members of the public. It can be difficult to predict the requirement in this subhead as the quantum and timing of payments depends on the progress of cases being dealt with through the States Claims Agency and Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal. In 2014, it is...