Results 12,481-12,500 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Members of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission: Motion (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have already addressed that matter. The assessment panel that was appointed in 2013 was completely independent. It was chaired by Ms Emily O'Reilly and the other members were Dr. Mary Keys, who is from Galway and a member of the Mental Health Commission, Ms Sylda Langford, chair of the Citizens Information Board, Professor Gerard Quinn, who is from NUI Galway, and Professor Gerard Whyte,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Members of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission: Motion (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes, he has been a representative for the Traveller community and he has a legal qualification.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Members of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission: Motion (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: There will be continuity. This is because there will be terms of office of three and five years. The membership of the entire body will not, therefore, have to replaced at any one time. Those with three-year terms of office will be replaced first and then those with five-year terms. The decision to have two distinct periods of service was taken in order to avoid the situation to which the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Members of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission: Motion (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I discussed this matter with the Deputy previously. I am aware that he has a major interest in and has done work on it. I am also interested in it and the Department is reviewing the recommendations. Some discussions have taken place but the matter is still under review. I will forward to the Deputy a note on the up-to-date position.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Members of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission: Motion (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am grateful for the comments about the staff of the Department. Mr. Deaglan O'Briain and Ms Mary McKenna who are accompanying me have put a great deal of work into the development of the legislation and the establishment of the commission. On Report Stage in the Seanad I said I would be fully supportive of the committee in respect of the change to the Title to include human rights. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Members of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission: Motion (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: This issue was discussed previously. I met the Chief Commissioner designate and discussed the budget with her. I assured her of both my support and that of my Department in respect the commission's budgetary needs. In the budget for 2015, we have included an independent Vote. This means that the money came out of the departmental Vote. People were of the view that the departmental Vote...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Members of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission: Motion (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: This discussion is a continuation of the work the joint committee has done in respect of the establishment of the Irish human rights and equality commission. It is a pleasure to be here to discuss the draft motions which reflect the requirement set out in section 13(1)(b) of the Irish human rights and equality commission Act 2014 that a resolution be passed by each House of the Oireachtas...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person concerned arrived in the State on 1 May, 2008 and made an application for asylum on 7 May, 2008. The Refugee Applications Commissioner refused a declaration of refugee status by letter dated 7 November, 2008. This decision was subsequently upheld by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and this was notified to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no application under consideration for this person at this time. A decision letter issued to the person concerned on 24 July 2014 outlining their current status in the State. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Bodies' Staff (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Details in relation to staffing and resources allocated to the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner are outlined in the table for each of the years in question. Year Staffing Budget Allocation 2011 20.9 (at end December) €1.45m (spend) 2012 26.5 (at end December) €1.56m (spend) 2013 28.23 (at end December) €1.96m (spend) 2014 29.03 (at end September)...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The position is that the Government Legislation Programme published on 17 September indicates that publication of the Sale of Alcohol Bill is expected in mid-2015.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigations (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including personnel in the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. Specifically in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Expenditure (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Commissioner is, in accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005, the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote. In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that an Garda Síochána procure vehicles in accordance with public procurement procedures and EU Directives under contracts tendered by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP)

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Emergency Services Personnel (22 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is specific legislation in place to deal with assaults of, or threats to, emergency workers in front line positions, which is contained in section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) 1994 Act (as amended by section 185 Criminal Justice Act 2006). Section 19 provides that any person who assaults or threatens to assault a person providing medical services at or in a hospital or a...

Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (21 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Mac Lochlainn knows they are being dealt with objectively. They have been sent to an independent review mechanism.

Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (21 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am suggesting that the cases have been sent to an independent review mechanism.

Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (21 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: No. I am suggesting what Deputy Mac Lochlainn stated is a manipulation of the comments made.

Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (21 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am not suggesting that. I am suggesting that what Deputy Mac Lochlainn is saying is a manipulation of a comment I made.

Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (21 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I made general points about processes.

Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (21 Oct 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is defensive of Deputy Mac Lochlainn.