Results 13,501-13,520 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Justice and Home Affairs Council: Discussion (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is quite a concern in member states. For example, in Belgium recently there was an attack in which a number of Jewish persons were killed. That was at the Jewish museum in Brussels. Ministers stated that this was an issue of serious concern and remains of the utmost importance, given the numbers who are travelling to Syria. From our own perspective, the point I made is that a small...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Justice and Home Affairs Council: Discussion (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have circulated a background note and also a paper with comments on some of the key areas that I want to bring to the attention of the committee. I thank the committee for the invitation to brief the members on what was discussed at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council which took place on 5 and 6 June; I attended both days of the meeting. Information notes have been circulated and I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I take it the Deputy is referring to the length of time taken to process an application and I am pleased to inform him there is no waiting period as such in relation to the processing of applications for naturalisation with a majority of cases now being processed within six months. Applications are continuously processed from date of receipt. Enquiries are made to establish if the applicant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that while driver images may in some cases be captured by the Garda safety camera system, the system's purpose and configuration is designed to identify the registration number of the vehicle concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have read the letter attached to this Dáíl Question from a Kerry resident in which concern is expressed about the direct provision system of accommodation for protection applicants while a final decision is awaited on their protection or any related leave to remain application. The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for operation of the direct...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting of Personnel (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Ensuring the safety of children and vulnerable adults is the primary consideration in any vetting process and accordingly such vetting processes demand rigorous procedures to ensure their integrity and to maintain the highest level of confidence by the public and organisations availing of the service. To that end full vetting checks are conducted by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations Expenditure (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The provision of Garda accommodation, including all site purchases and new buildings, comes under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The relevant expenditure is met from the OPW Vote. In that context, I am advised by the Office of Public Works that expenditure of €1.95 million has been incurred in relation to the purchase of land, at Rocksborough, for the provision of a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Law (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: EU Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law requires the Member States to criminalise incitement to hatred, hatred being defined by reference to race, colour, religion, descent, or national or ethnic origin. The Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 defines "hatred" by reference to race,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (25 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that Gardaí pursue a range of strategies to counter crime trends, including the coordinated national strategy targeting burglary crime under Operation Fiacla, which has led to steady reductions in the level of burglary crimes as well as the arrest of 9,343 persons and charges being brought against 5,341 persons since it was established in early 2012. As part of...

Other Questions: Direct Provision System (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Clearly, where is it possible to make the decision Deputy Humphreys referred to, that will be done, but frequently, the reason for the long delays is that individuals have taken a range of judicial reviews and other legal remedies regarding their case, which then prohibits the discretion she suggests. With regard to Deputy Higgins's question, until this year it was difficult to compare how...

Other Questions: Magdalen Laundries (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: In the light of the Government decision to implement the scheme recommended by Judge Quirke, my Department established a dedicated unit of nine officers whose sole task is to assist in the implementation of the scheme. A total of 754 applications have been received to date and 357 applicants have received their lump sum payment so far. The cost is €12.8 million to date. I may have...

Other Questions: Magdalen Laundries (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have a mechanism to support those who are outside the country to ensure they access medical services, which was agreed by the Government this morning. The issue of vulnerable persons was also included in the heads of the Bill that went to Cabinet earlier to ensure there is legal provision for relatives or other appropriate persons to act on behalf of the women who do not have the capacity...

Other Questions: Direct Provision System (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I certainly believe we must ensure the best possible standards are applied in the centres in which people are living. I recently visited the centre in Mosney and met the staff and management. I am sure the Deputy has visited some of the centres. Clearly, a lot of work is done to ensure, given the circumstances that apply, that people's needs are met as much as possible. Of course, any...

Other Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome that work and the committee's report, which I look forward to receiving. I take this opportunity to thank the committee for the focus it has put on this area. It is extremely important that it should be the focus of discussion and debate in this House.

Other Questions: Direct Provision System (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy knows, the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of protection applicants in accordance with Government policy in this country. I spent some time recently visiting Mosney and met with many of the residents there as well as staff and management. I acknowledge that the length of time residents spend in direct provision is an...

Other Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will know, it is not unusual for constitutional sensitivities to be raised when bringing forward important legislation like this. I have said that the most recent advice I have on constitutional difficulties suggests constitutional change may not be required. I am ensuring that we are preparing for the legislation that will be needed in order to sign and ratify the convention....

Other Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree with the Deputy that there is no room for complacency on the issue of violence against women. Some years ago, people might have felt this was less of a problem but evidence suggests it remains a very serious issue, very often associated with drug and alcohol use. Tackling the alcohol issue is necessary, therefore. This morning we saw a very disturbing report on Irish patterns of...

Other Questions: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Taoiseach made the apologies and Mr. Justice Quirke carried out his investigation and submitted recommendations in relation to the Magdalen laundries. Women who were in the Magdalen laundries have applied for benefits under that scheme. This morning, the Government, on my proposal, agreed to the publication of the scheme of a new Bill to provide for services and supports for women who...

Other Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am anxious to see Ireland in a position to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence - the Istanbul convention - as quickly as possible. However, I will only be able to proceed with ratification when we have in place measures that match the requirements of the convention. This will require changes to our domestic...

Other Questions: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan for the points she has raised on those cases. I have outlined the different situation relating to An Grianán. One of the women Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan refers to went to the redress board. Does the Deputy expect that people should have access to both the Residential Institutions Redress Board scheme and the Magdalen laundry scheme? It was not...