Advanced search
Show most relevant results first | Most recent results are first | Show use by person

Search only Helen McEnteeSearch all speeches

Results 12,701-12,720 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Investigations (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I do not want to give the Deputy a short answer, and it is not that I do not want to answer him, but, given the very serious nature of what we are talking about and the situation in general surrounding this case, it is important I do not say anything that could impact a case currently before the courts. As I have outlined, however, there is a very clear process where there is no storage or...

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

Helen McEntee: No.

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

Helen McEntee: I do not have the figures to hand. As I mentioned, management of the courts' services is a matter for the courts but I can certainly ask for and seek that information. I know every effort has been made to try to ensure that urgent cases involving the most vulnerable people in complex family situations and victims of sexual and domestic abuse have been seen. From 1 September, a huge amount...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 23 and 173 together. I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. It is obviously very close to both Deputies, who have worked extremely hard in their communities and with local resources and authorities to try to address this. As the Deputies are aware, on Friday 21 August 2020, I appointed the former director of the Probation Service, Vivian...

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

Helen McEntee: This is something that has taken some time and, therefore, I assure the Deputy again that I have asked for an update on the timeline of this and I have asked that it be progressed as soon as possible. I will finish outlining some of the areas included in the legislation. We will have enhanced supervision of high-risk offenders including, in limited circumstances, the electronic monitoring...

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

Helen McEntee: I fully accept the Deputy's concerns and that we need to make progress in the area but while there is legislation there, it does not go far enough. That is why we need this legislation. As such I commit again to try to progress this as quickly as possible. There are obviously other areas as well that relates to sexual offences. The Sexual Offences Act 2017 specifically provides for a...

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

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising what is an extremely important issue. She is correct that we have unfortunately witnessed a significant increase in domestic violence through the Covid months, due to the fact that many people have been at home and have had no other place to go for safety. Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of...

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,...

   Advanced search
Show most relevant results first | Most recent results are first | Show use by person

Search only Helen McEnteeSearch all speeches