Results 12,601-12,620 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Sittings (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy. We could perhaps look at it in two ways. The intention throughout Covid-19 has been that urgent cases relating in particular to family law and domestic violence will be prioritised by the courts, which they have been since the beginning of the pandemic. I am aware of issues because people in my constituency have contacted me about child access arrangements where perhaps...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Briefings (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: Absolutely nobody had any intention to mislead the Dáil, to omit anything intentionally or to try to sneak anything in with this legislation, as has been suggested before. The Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 was enacted on 6 August and constitutes the Government response to the new challenges posed to our courts and legal systems by the current pandemic....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Briefings (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will say again that there was absolutely no attempt to mislead anybody in the Dáil. When I say this is something which happens regularly, it should be noted that we asked that pre-legislative scrutiny be waived for the previous two Bills I brought forward because of the prevailing circumstances. I appreciate that Deputies allowed us to do so and I thank them for that. Additions were...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Briefings (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I stand over my decision to include this in the Bill. This question was asked of me at the time and I stood over my decision then. The aim of this particular section is to make our legal systems and courts more efficient and accessible. The reason for its introduction is that, in the majority of cases and in the absence of legislative reform, litigants may agree to admit business records...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sex Offenders Notification Requirements (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this extremely important issue, on which I know he is particularly focused and on which he wants to see progress. I understand the concern which communities can have with regard to the issue of rehabilitation of sex offenders and the protection of public safety and our citizens. It is important to note that there are already provisions in existing law with...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Resources (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I understand the frustration and I cannot give the Deputy an exact timeline as to when exactly a Department or An Garda Síochána seeking initial funding for a project of this scale will receive approval. However, all ICT expenditure must meet particular criteria and a specific approval process must be followed. I can look at that approval process and see if it is unduly long or...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reform (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The question makes reference to the Smithwick tribunal. However, the report of the Smithwick tribunal of inquiry makes no recommendation on the recruitment or promotion of members of An Garda Síochána. I believe the article in The Irish Timesmay have mentioned that. The Deputy is referring to the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reform (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy asked two questions. On whistleblowers, the Protective Disclosures Act, introduced in 2014 by former colleagues of mine, provides a very clear statutory framework within which workers can raise concerns over potential wrongdoings in the workplace that come to their attention. They can do this in the full knowledge that they can avail of significant employment and other...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reform (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: This matter has been the subject of some debate and discussion among all the agencies. It will go through the normal processes and procedures in the Dáil and there will be a chance to debate it. We are not talking about giving power to one person alone. There is a very clear oversight structure here. The role of the board will be to better support and manage An Garda...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Resources (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: At the outset, it is important to emphasise that the Garda Commissioner and his team are responsible for the operation and management of An Garda Síochána and the distribution of resources within that organisation. As Minister for Justice, it is important that I work with the Garda Commissioner and ensure that he can fulfil what it is he sets out to do. This includes the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Resources (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will outline here that funding is not an issue. I am satisfied the Commissioner will and does have the funding he needs. However, when one is rolling out any type of arrangements for digital or ICT-related expenditure, whether it is within the public or civil service, and An Garda Síochána obviously falls within that, a particular process must be undergone with the Department of...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to have the opportunity to present this important Bill. I welcome the broad support it received in the Dáil last week. The purpose of the Bill is very clear from its Title. It is about new enforcement powers for the Garda Síochána for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic. More specifically the Bill relates to commercial premises where alcohol is sold or...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank all Senators for their comments and especially for their broad support for the legislation. I did not say it at the outset but, to be clear, I am very grateful to all Senators for their support and for allowing the Bill to go through and bypass the pre-legislative scrutiny. I understand and fully appreciate that this is not the way we should be passing legislation. Unfortunately,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am happy to inform the Deputy that significant expenditure is being committed by individual Departments in support of the Government's objective of enabling Ireland to fulfil its obligations with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ('the Convention') by responding to the needs of persons with disabilities. For example, €1.7bn was spent by the...

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

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents meeting specified criteria to regularise their status within 18 months of the formation of the Government, bearing in mind European Union and Common Travel Area commitments. Ireland along with other Member States of the EU, has committed, under the European Pact on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Authority (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to rapidly implementing the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and in that context to introduce the Policing and Community Safety Bill. Work on the development of the General Scheme of this Bill is at an advanced stage in my Department. Following consultations with the Garda Commissioner and the oversight bodies, which are underway at...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: On 18 March 2020, in response to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department entered into a 12 month contract to use the former Skellig Star Hotel in Cahersiveen as a temporary accommodation centre for international protection applicants. My Department's policy is always to withdraw from emergency accommodation as quickly as possible and as soon as places become available in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: In August 2019, the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the international protection process were published by my Department. The Standards were prepared by an Advisory Group, established in 2017 and comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the HSE National Office for Social Inclusion as well as representatives from...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (10 Sep 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: Direct Provision System (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: Discussions are ongoing between officials in my Department and the HSE to enable formal vulnerability assessments for applicants for international protection by the end of the year. This will ensure that a coherent process is in place for both the health and non-health aspects required in formalised assessments. To assist in determining how best we can meet the health and related needs...