Results 12,161-12,180 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Tribunals of Inquiry (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Moriarty Tribunal made a number of recommendations which related to the responsibilities of different Government Departments. Insofar as my Department is concerned, I can advise the Deputy that since the Tribunal produced its findings, there have been a number of significant steps taken to strengthen the State’s ability to tackle corruption and related...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Apologies. There were two things that I did not clarify. If the Garda Commissioner writes to my Department, I am not sure whether or not that can be published but I can certainly check. Regarding game and shooting, there seems to be a suggestion that the gardaí themselves decided that this was not something that could go ahead, which is simply not the case. We have a situation...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank all Deputies for their contributions. I will touch on a number of the points that have been raised. I cannot accept the proposed amendment and will outline why. Some Deputies have referred to this issue. As much as I would like to say that we will be in a different place in three months and will not need this legislation, if we are all honest with ourselves, that is not where we...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves that the Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020 (No. 14 of 2020) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on the 9th day of November, 2020 and ending on the 9th day of June, 2021." Deputies will be aware that section 17 of the Act provides that the Act shall continue in operation until 9 November 2020 unless a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiries into Garda Activities (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 to 106, inclusive, together. I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the family of Shane Tuohy and I am very conscious of the hurt and pain caused to them by the loss of Shane. In May 2017, Judge Donagh McDonagh was appointed by the then Minister to undertake an Inquiry into the conduct and adequacy of the investigations conducted by An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Charities Regulation (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Law Reform Commission Report on the Civil Liability of Good Samaritans and Volunteers (LRC 93-2009) made a number of recommendations for reform in this area. Part IVA of the Civil Liability Act 1961 (inserted by Part 3 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011) provides statutory protection to Good Samaritans and Volunteers, subject to the provisions of the Act. While...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (4 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. The Public Appointments Service (PAS) run the national competitions for Trainee Garda in An Garda Síochána on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. The Garda authorities understand...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy may be aware that entry to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions & Appointments) Regulations, 2013 and Statutory Instrument 470/2013. There are no exemptions granted in relation to any of the regulations contained therein. Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, a person is eligible to apply for admission as a trainee...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residential Property Sales (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 to 113, inclusive, together. There are no plans at present to introduce or amend legislation in this area. However, as with other policy and legislative reforms, interested parties are welcome to make submissions on this matter. The position with regard to gazumping is that instances normally arise where a non-enforceable agreement for the sale of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Status (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Irish Refugee Protection Programme Humanitarian Admission Programme (IHAP), announced in May 2018, is part of the Government's plan to realise the full commitment of 4,000 persons agreed under the first phase of the IRPP in September 2015. The programme allows holders of an international protection status in Ireland, (i.e. refugees with Convention or Programme Refugee status), holders...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Investigation (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together. It should be noted that the Hickson Commission is an independent body and I, as Minister for Justice, have no role in the conduct of its investigation. I am informed by my officials that, in May 2019, having been made aware of the loss of the USB stick containing personal data in relation to the Hickson Commission, my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Services (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency under the aegis of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) and are the primary funders of organisations that deliver front-line services. In 2019, Tusla allocated €25.3 million to Domestic, Sexual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Land Issues (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I would like to advise the Deputy that there are no plans at present for a land price register similar to the Property Price Register. As with other policy and legislative reforms, interested parties are welcome to make submissions on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Death Certificates (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: At the outset, I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. Coroners are statutory officers exercising quasi-judicial functions, in relation to which they are completely independent. Neither I nor my Department have any function in this regard. However, to be of assistance, officials from my Department contacted the Coroner concerned, and were told that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Remuneration (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1043 and 1044 together. I have requested a report from the Garda authorities on the information sought by the Deputy and I will contact him directly when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may 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: - be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee; - have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data controller...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Oireachtas Joint Committee Recommendations (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1046, 1049 and 1050 together. The Government is fully committed to modernising the family law system in Ireland. We will introduce a new Family Court Bill and develop a dedicated family court system. The development of sensible, comprehensive and sensitive family law procedures, particularly for vulnerable families, will be central to the new system. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card for the person referred to by the Deputy was issued and sent to the address provided on 10 August 2020. However, as the person concerned reported not having received it, a new IRP card has been printed and the person concerned can expect to receive this in 5 to 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Prison Service (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will wish to note that a prisoner complaints system was introduced by the Irish Prison Service in November 2012. I am informed that this system was based on a model recommended by the then Inspector of Prisons, the late Judge Michael Reilly. A copy of this Complaints Policy can be found on the website of the Irish Prison Service. All prisoners have the right to make a complaint at...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commencement of Legislation (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: In response to the Deputy’s question, details of Bills enacted by the Houses of Oireachtas passed and yet to be commenced by my Department since 1 January 2015 are set out in the table below. Relevant Act Details Civil Debt (Procedures) Act 2015 Act is not yet commenced. It is envisaged that the Act will be largely commenced once the...