Results 1,301-1,320 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I accept all these amendments.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I also intend to further consider this section and, in particular, the conditions set out under section 22(2). While Deputy O'Callaghan has adopted a comprehensive approach, I would like to consider whether further conditions should be set out in the section or whether certain automatic conditions should apply to parole orders, such as the requirement to abide by the lawful instructions of a...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The section deals with monitoring compliance with orders. Consideration is currently being given to the relationship between the provisions of this section and the role of the Probation Service in managing offenders on release from prison and this may give rise to amendments that would provide further clarification on this.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to point out that for procedural reasons, some drafting or technical amendments may be required to be made to this section.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Amendment No. 77 to section 25 would have the effect that a parole order may only be revoked if the person commits a criminal offence, as Deputy Clare Daly outlined. Currently, the section provides that an order may be revoked if the person poses an undue risk to the safety of the community or any person - that stalking example is a good one - or persons or has breached a condition of his or...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It might be helpful to state that the number being brought back at present varies but is usually five or fewer per year out of 60 or 80. Deputy Wallace referred to the changed situation for the person, the difference between being in prison and being out of prison, what can happen, the adjustment, etc. It is worth bearing in mind that in all of these cases there will have been a period of...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: One concern I have relating to section 25 which may require further amendment is that a parole order may be suspended where a person has been charged with an offence whether or not this has resulted in a conviction. This provision might run the risk of being challenged. Everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence and I do not believe that simply being charged with an offence should...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Amendments Nos. 84 to 88, inclusive, address section 26. This is a section of the Bill to which I intend to bring further amendments. I have been advised that the issuing of warrants by the parole board authorising a member of An Garda Síochána to apprehend a person is not appropriate. I will bring forward substantial amendments to this section to provide for a system of...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am glad to hear that.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have no difficulty with accepting amendment No. 92. I may need to return to it following further discussion with the Courts Service and advice from Parliamentary Counsel, but I accept the amendment.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: A technical amendment may be required to the Title to include the words "and related matters". This will be raised in the drafting. We may have to come back to it.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Chairman.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Commissioner that Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Divisions, including the Garda water unit and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am, however, assured that Garda management keeps these resources under continual review so as to ensure that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Data (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be appreciate decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that this person arrived in the State in September 2007 and that their last student permission expired on 4 October 2016. Their request for permission to remain in the State is currently under consideration and a decision will issue to them in the very near future. Queries in relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Accidents Data (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 to 91, inclusive, together. I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy. An Garda Síochána has provided the following table, which sets out the cost to the State to settle claims arising from road traffic collisions involving drivers in the emergency services from 2011 to 2016: Year...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is a vital element of the criminal justice system. The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted in certain circumstances for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Data (24 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the tables below set out the position in relation to the ten highest number of applications by nationality and a combined figure for all other nationalities (up to 90) for the years requested by the Deputy. I am further advised by INIS that the time taken to complete "join family" visa applications...