Results 13,021-13,040 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Law (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The first recourse of any householder faced with an intruder should be, where circumstances permit, to the Garda Síochána. They are best placed to deal with such offenders and to investigate offences. The Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act 2011 addresses those unfortunate situations where a householder comes face to face with an intruder and clarifies the law concerning...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, if the person has made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection, the position is that it is not the practice to comment on such applications for so long as they are in the protection process.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: This applicant arrived in the State on 2 October 2005, having been granted a study visa, before applying for asylum on 6 November 2006. His wife entered the State on 21 May 2005, and claimed asylum on the same date, and she gave birth to a child on 6 August 2006, on whose behalf asylum was claimed on 2 October 2007. The applicant's claim for asylum was refused on 22 January 2009. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) is a functional unit of the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department and is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers under the government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Currently, 4,311 persons are residing in 34 asylum accommodation centres under contract to RIA. I am aware of the NASC...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) is a functional unit of the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department and is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers under the government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Currently, 4,311 persons are residing in 34 asylum accommodation centres under contract to RIA. RIA's House Rules and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders Re-examination (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 15th July 2011, and therefore he has no entitlement to residence in the state. Representations were received from the persons' legal representative asking that the Deportation Order be revoked, in accordance with the provisions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The recently published Statement of Government priorities 2014-2016 includes the commitment to introduce a separate Protection Bill to establish a single application procedure for the investigation of all grounds for protection. This reform will simplify and streamline existing arrangements and provide applicants with a final decision on their protection application in a more straight forward...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Assets Bureau (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that all monies recovered by the Criminal Assets Bureau under its statutory remit are returned to the Exchequer. Such monies are not earmarked for any specific expenditure programme. The monies are paid into the Government's Central Fund, from which the Government draws for expenditure on all necessary public services and investment. As the Bureau operates with a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that the current review of key issues relating to firearms licensing will not affect arrangements for the licensing of CCTV monitoring centres. From 1 November 2014 those contractors who provide a CCTV monitoring centre service will require a licence from the Private Security Authority (PSA). The PSA is an independent agency under the remit of my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed that this complex matter remains under Garda investigation and on completion of enquiries an investigation file will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for direction. The Deputy will appreciate that in these circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware that there has been correspondence on this matter over a considerable period of time. If the individual at the centre of these allegations now wishes to write to me setting out clearly the nature and basis of his concerns, I am prepared to consider referring the matter for review under the mechanism established, following a Government decision, for the independent review by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Prison Service (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Irish Prison Service publishes on its website (www.irishprisons.ie) prisoner population figures for all institutions on a daily basis. The number of those under 18 year years of age remanded in custody to St. Patrick's Institution can change on a daily basis depending on court outcomes. However I can advise the Deputy that on Wednesday 30th July, 2014, there were two 17 year old...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the number of fixed charge penalty notices issued to drivers by An Garda Síochána in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 for the offence of driving while using a mobile phone; the number of these drivers who did not pay the mandatory penalty fixed under the notice within 56 days and were summoned to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system. The Road Traffic Act...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 663 to 665, inclusive, 669, 685, 692 and 693 together. The Direct Provision system is managed by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department. For the most part, this represents a cashless system with the State assuming responsibility for providing suitable accommodation for asylum seekers on a full board basis. RIA currently provides full...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 666 and 667 together. The Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 provides for the establishment of an independent Working Group to report to Government on improvements with the protection process, including direct provision, and supports for asylum seekers. I plan to establish this group in the near future. In advance of establishing the group I am...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that on 1st July 2014, 1,978 prisoners were accommodated in single cells which accounted for almost 50% of all prisoners in custody on that date (4,003). In addition, there were 784 cells which accommodated 2 prisoners, 111 cells which accommodated 3 prisoners and 31 cells which accommodated 4 or more prisoners. As the Deputy will appreciate the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that the correspondence referred to in the question was received by my Department on 26June 2014 and a detailed response issued on 23 July 2014. I can also advise the Deputy that a further letter has been received from the same person and a reply is being prepared, which will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 671 to 677, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of judicial appointments from 2010 to date in 2014 is set out in the tables. The Deputy will be aware that, under the Constitution, judges are appointed by the President on the advice of the Government. The current process for the appointment of judges in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (17 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the replacement of Garda vehicles is reviewed on an ongoing basis in the context of operational priorities and available funding. There are currently...