Results 13,521-13,540 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Regarding the Deputy's point on the need for greater accountancy skills in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, ODCE, such skills are fundamental to the office's ability to deal with the more complex issues and investigations it has been facing since the economic downturn. My colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, has been addressing this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: To a degree, the Deputy's points could best be dealt with in the context of the Acting Garda Commissioner's strategic review. By undertaking such a review, she clearly recognises that this issue is an emerging and serious priority. The questions of resources and of engagement with international and local partners are key. The precise mechanisms for that engagement and who should lead it...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: The ex gratiascheme covers the ten Magdalen laundries that were the subject of the McAleese report and two other institutions that were subsequently included, those being, St. Mary's training centre, Stanhope Street, and the House of Mercy training school, Summerhill, Wexford. To date, 754 applications have been received and 357 applicants have received their lump sum payments at a cost of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: While the deployment of resources within An Garda Síochána is a matter for the acting Garda Commissioner, I have received a detailed report from her on the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and its functions. As the Deputy will be aware, the acting Commissioner has initiated an immediate comprehensive review and strategic realignment of An Garda Síochána's capacity to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy asked a large number of questions.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I do not believe the interim Garda Commissioner is obliged to wait until the commission of investigation has completed its work before initiating changes in response to the Guerin report and in respect of some of the issues the Deputy has identified. I have been assured that work is under way regarding this matter. Changes are currently being made - and others will be made in the future -...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The terms of reference must be discussed by Cabinet. The potential timeframe involved will be dependent on the completion of the terms of reference and discussions with the person appointed to chair the commission. The commission will be obliged to carry out a great deal of work. The first action we must take is to draw up the terms of reference. I hope to bring the latter to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Deployment (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Clearly, the Deputy is giving his opinion on the tax, but I am speaking about the role of gardaí in the maintenance of public order, if there is a threat to it. Of course, people have a right to protest, but, equally, others have a right to go about their work in installing water meters and doing the job Irish Water is obliged, under statute, to do. That is precisely what was happening...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Deployment (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Gardaí took the appropriate steps to maintain public order, rightly so, and they have been praised for so doing. I put it to the Deputy that they were taking the appropriate steps in the context of the incident referred to.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy said, we have had an opportunity to discuss the Guerin report in the House and consider some of the wide range of issues addressed. These issues are complex and deep-rooted, ranging from high level issues such as oversight, change management and the role of whistleblowers to local administration and internal communication, as well as matters of basic policing, performance and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Deployment (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I put it to the Deputy that the installation of water meters is being carried out on behalf of Irish Water in accordance with what is a statutory responsibility and a democratic decision. Clearly, all citizens are entitled to peaceful protest and I would affirm that right, but rights come with responsibilities. Equally, if people have the right to protest, there is a responsibility not to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I regard full co-operation from An Garda Síochána with the Garda ombudsman as extremely important. When the Cooke report was published, I said working together and sharing information needed more than protocols or legislative change. It is also about a change in culture. There must be learning on both sides. We want to see an oversight body going about its work with full...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Deployment (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The installation of water meters has given rise to protest action by individuals and groups opposed to the introduction of water charges. Legitimate, peaceful protest as an expression of a particular viewpoint has its place in society. There is no argument with this, but there are other, equally legitimate, rights that must also be protected. The right of a person to go about his or her...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department had been advised by the Garda Services Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, that issues had arisen last year in obtaining some information from An Garda Síochána related to the investigation of a complaint. It has been further advised, however, that the issue has been resolved and that all relevant documentation requested by the ombudsman has been provided. I understand the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is absolutely right in what he has said. I am informed that An Garda Síochána states it has made full disclosure and is co-operating fully with all requests from GSOC with regard to these investigations. When I hear the Deputy speak about the horrific details of the murder, my first thoughts are with the family and the terrible situation they have had to face. In terms...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Recruitment (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: By "transparent" I mean that advertisements will be placed internationally and the Public Appointments Service has a very clear process that will be followed in terms of recommendations. The Deputy's question is slightly premature in that the Cabinet took a decision on an independent policing authority, and both processes - the appointment of the Garda Commissioner and the development of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Recruitment (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome last week's promotions to the ranks of Garda sergeants and inspectors and the Garda Síochána has generally welcomed them. The matter about which the Deputy asked is still being discussed. The same considerations apply as I set out in relation to the development of the authority. There is no decision on that issue right now; it is a matter under consideration.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Recruitment (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As part of our comprehensive programme of justice reform, the Government has recently announced that, in future, the post of Garda Commissioner will be filled by way of an open competition, including with respect to the current vacancy. The comprehensive programme of justice reform also includes the proposed establishment of an independent Garda authority, which I hope to have up and running...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, Mr. Dominic McGinn, Senior Counsel, is at present carrying out an independent examination of the report of the Serious Crime Review Team relating to the Garda investigation into the death of Fr. Niall Molloy. In accordance with its terms of reference, this independent examination comprises two elements. Firstly, Mr. McGinn is to examine the Review Team's report...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am, of course, deeply concerned at the distressing circumstances surrounding the operation of Mother and Baby Homes, including the Home at Tuam. As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs recently announced the Government's intention to establish a Commission of Investigation to examine these complex issues. An interdepartmental group has been established and...