Results 12,221-12,240 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ministerial Meetings (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy has asked a very broad question. I have been fortunate enough since my appointment to meet a wide range of people who have issues with the operation of the criminal justice system. Many of them feel the system has not served them as well as it should have, or have suggestions as to how it can be improved. They include victims of sexual assault, people who have lost loved ones on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I could respond to the Deputy in a number of ways. When one examines exactly what is happening in policing in the Dublin area, one will see that the number of public order offences is down by 7% in the south central, Pearse Street, area and 19% in the Store Street area. I see these figures as reflecting a broad positive trend. We do not want to alarm people unnecessarily, but we want to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy did not ask about the issue of classification, but I will address some of the points he raised in respect of it. I do, of course, appreciate the concerns that the Deputy has raised, and I am conscious of the perspectives of business and community interests with regard to the effects of certain types of crime and anti-social behaviour on the overall environment for all who live...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Reports (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The first thing I want to emphasise is that I as Minister for Justice and Equality have no role in relation to prosecutions or decisions whether or not to initiate a prosecution. In May 2013, the Garda Síochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) made a Report to my predecessor under Section 80(5) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 following its investigation into allegations of collusion...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is referring to the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, to the Taoiseach, or to other public representatives, with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may be required...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of Garda resources, and clearly this process would take into account demographic changes and, more generally, policing trends. Section 20 of the 2005 Act provides that the Minister may, following consultation with the Garda Commissioner, determine and revise priorities for the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Inspectorate Reports (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, last week I published the report of the Garda Inspectorate on Crime Investigation and welcomed its analysis as providing the foundation stone for the future development of a 21st century policing service for Ireland. The report rightly acknowledges the dedication and commitment of members of An Garda Síochána and indeed notes that many of the issues...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is referring to the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, to the Taoiseach, or to other public representatives, with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may be required...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including fully sworn members and Reserve Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, Mr. Dominic McGinn, Senior Counsel, was appointed to carry out an independent examination of the report of the Serious Crime Review Team relating to the Garda investigation into the death of Fr. Niall Molloy. My Department has recently received a report from Mr. McGinn and this is being considered in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including fully sworn members and Reserve Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Agreements (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I intend to seek the approval of Government for Ireland to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence - the Istanbul convention - as early as possible in 2015. This is a matter of priority for me. To this end, the Department is working on a number of pieces of legislation which will assist in Ireland ratifying the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The provision and allocation of Garda transport is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of identified operational circumstances and the availability of resources. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational circumstances. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Whistleblowers (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Up to recently whistleblowing by members of the Garda Síochána was provided for under the Garda Síochána (Confidential Reporting of Corruption or Malpractice) Regulations 2007,made under s.124 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. These Regulations provided for the appointment of an independent Confidential Recipient to whom members of the Force, and civilian support...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reform (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: On 13 May as part of my comprehensive response to the recommendations of the Guerin report I announced an independent review of the performance, management and administration of my Department. Three weeks later I announced the appointment of an Independent Review Group chaired by Mr. Kevin Toland, CEO of the Dublin Airport Authority. The Independent Review Group reported on 11 July - a very...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Courts Service that discussions have taken place with An Garda Síochána concerning the particular arrangements required to facilitate prosecutions by the Garda authorities for non-compliance with this provision with a view to commencement of an appropriate mechanism in early 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sexual Offences Reporting (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy's Question arises in the context of recent allegations of the rape and sexual abuse of a young woman in Northern Ireland, and her subsequent mistreatment at the hands of members of Sinn Féin and the Provisional IRA. It is obviously a very difficult story for her to tell and I admire her bravery in telling it publicly. It is a pity that those who have questions to answer in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following the Supreme Court's judgement in the MR and Anor – v- An tArd Chlaraitheoir & Orson Friday 7th November, my colleague the Minister for Health, Mr Leo Varadkar T.D., stated that he intends to bring a memorandum for Government before the end of this year, seeking approval to draft an Assisted Human Reproduction Bill. It is envisaged that this Bill will deal with a wide...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Support Services (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that I fully appreciate the degree of sensitivity required when handling applications from women who find themselves in this very distressing situation. As I have indicated previously, there are specific procedures in place which facilitates travel abroad to obtain an Irish travel document. In my previous reply on Wednesday 24th September to Parliamentary Question...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Work on the Criminal Justice (Corruption) Bill is at an advanced stage. Officials of my Department and of the Attorney General's Office are working to address a small number of outstanding issues. It is hoped that the Bill will be ready for publication in the coming weeks in accordance with the commitment given in the Government Legislation Programme.