Results 12,021-12,040 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 617 and 618 together. I would first like to express my most sincere sympathies to the family concerned in this tragic case. I understand that a formal written apology issued from An Garda Síochána to the family in July 2020. The case to which the Deputy refers was amongst the complaints considered by independent counsel under the Independent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Tribunals of Inquiry (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Smithwick Tribunal made thematic recommendations regarding North-South police co-operation, Garda discipline and the investigation of historic crimes with a cross-border element. Firstly it should be stated from the outset that there is close and ongoing co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in respect of all aspects of policing....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but it was unfortunately not possible to compile it in the time available. I will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Meetings (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate, as Minister for Justice, it is often incumbent upon me to visit Garda stations and facilities around the country. Reasons for these can include invitations for meetings, or visits in light of specific events. The Deputy will appreciate that, in light of Covid-19 and related public health measures, such engagements have been reduced in the recent past. I can...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. In addition, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles. As...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. In addition, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles. As...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. In addition, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles. As...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, vetting applications are an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. Neither I, as Minister, nor my Department have any role in the processing of vetting applications. I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but it was unfortunately not possible to compile it in the time available. I will write to the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 630, 631 and 632 together. The Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009, allowed for the establishment of an Office of a Legal Services Ombudsman. The Legal Services Ombudsman was to have been an appeal body for clients of solicitors and barristers who were dissatisfied with the decisions taken by the Law Society or Bar Council on clients’ complaints of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Oireachtas Joint Committee Recommendations (10 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: Prison Service Staff (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 636 and 637 together. I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that it is not possible for prison based employees to work from home as they are essential, frontline workers. I understand that a small number of Irish Prison Service staff have been deemed by the Civil Service Chief Medical Officer to be in the higher risk category in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Prison Service has put in place an extensive range of measures to prevent Covid-19 transmission within prisons, detect early any possible infection in a prisoner or staff member and prevent the spread of infection should there be a confirmed case. The measures which have been introduced, guided by the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Policy Document for Non-EEA Family Reunification contains a timeframe target which states that visa applications to join non-EEA national family members should be dealt with within twelve months of receipt of application. However, it should be noted that this is a business target which reflects the detailed assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to such applications....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Prison Service (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that there is no suspension of investigations in the Irish Prison Service. I am further advised that the Irish Prison Service continues to engage with investigators and provide assistance with the investigation teams.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: A response to the correspondence from the person referred to by the Deputy will issue from my Department in the near future. In the interim, I have set out some general information below regarding the naturalisation process, which may be of assistance. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Tourism Data (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The information requested by the Deputy is not recorded by my Department. It was previously included on the Passenger Locator Form but was removed a number of months ago. Any historic data was deleted after 28 days. The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for securing Ireland’s border at Dublin Airport, in accordance with the provisions of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. In addition, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles among the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, 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 enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided the following update on this matter. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Unfortunately, it has not been possible to compile the requested information in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.