Results 13,621-13,640 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drugs Crime (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that tackling the illegal drug trade and the organised crime groups involved in such activities remain a key priority for this Government. The Policing Plan 2014 of An Garda Síochána sets out the continued commitment to pro-actively target groups and individuals engaged in such criminal activity, including multi-disciplinary approaches which are utilised to...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: It is essential that members of the public have full confidence in the Garda Síochána and in the operation of our criminal justice system. In that context the Government has initiated a comprehensive reform programme and the project is being overseen by a Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform. This Committee is chaired by the Taoiseach; and the other members are the Tánaiste,...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Síochána (Confidential Reporting of Corruption or Malpractice) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 168/2007),made under s.124 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, provide for the appointment of an independent Confidential Recipient. The independent Confidential Recipient enables members of the Force, and civilian support staff, to report, in full confidence, instances where they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Assets Bureau (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Criminal Assets Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime since its inception in 1996. The Bureau is being actively utilised to identify and target funds accumulated by those involved in criminal activity, in order to seize such assets and to deprive those involved of the profits of their criminal activity. Furthermore, 194 asset profilers trained by the Bureau are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Sittings (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Courts Service is responsible for the management and administration of the Courts. The scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business is a matter for the Presidents of the courts and the presiding judge who are under the Constitution independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. The Presidents monitor waiting times across all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that the overall bed capacity of the Irish Prison System is 4,179. On 23 June 2014 there were 3,958 prisoners in custody. This represents under 95% occupancy. I wish to inform the Deputy that on 1 April 2014 the cell accommodation census returned the following information. 2,044 prisoners were accommodated in single cells which accounted for 50% of all prisoners...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the function of the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) is to assist Senior Investigating Officers assigned to the case in question in bringing investigations to a successful conclusion by identifying further investigative opportunities and ensuring that investigations conform to approved best practice guidelines. At the conclusion of each review a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Pathologists (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 618 on Wednesday 30 April, 2014. As stated then, it is a matter for the State Pathologist to determine how her Office operates and in that regard the necessary operational arrangements had been put in place by the State Pathologist to ensure the continued efficient running of her Office. I can advise the Deputy that this continues to be the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Missing Persons Data (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table sets out the number of missing person reports from 2009 to 20 June, 2014. The table also sets out the total number of persons reported missing during that period who remain untraced. It should be noted that the figures provided are provisional, operational and liable to change. Year No. of Missing Person Reports No. of persons...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have however been informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (24 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised that all crime trends are monitored on an ongoing basis by the Garda authorities and relevant policing strategies are designed and implemented as required. The Garda National Policing Plan for 2014 sets out the policing priorities and objectives for the current year. The Plan is designed to meet the policing needs of all communities, in urban and rural areas, including active...

Topical Issue Debate: Direct Provision System (19 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: In regard to the inspection regime, HIQA is being asked to do a great deal of things at this time. For instance, as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I asked it to examine child protection teams, what the benchmarks should be and the progress that needs to be made. That progress is under way. I am not sure HIQA is necessarily the right body for what the Deputy is proposing, but I...

Topical Issue Debate: Direct Provision System (19 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Ó Ríordáin for raising this Topical Issue matter in the Dáil this afternoon. As he has said, there are 4,353 residents in 34 direct provision accommodation centres throughout the State under contract to the Reception and Integration Agency of the Department of Justice and Equality. I visited Mosney last Monday week and met the managers and residents there....

Cooke Report: Statements (19 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Regina Doherty for ending the contributions to this debate on that very appropriate note. It is absolutely essential for our society, as a democracy, to have confidence in An Garda Síochána. It is equally important to have confidence in GSOC. I thank all the Deputies who have contributed to the debate today. It has been wide-ranging, with many thoughtful...

Cooke Report: Statements (19 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome this opportunity for the House to debate the findings and recommendations of the report by Mr. Justice Cooke into claims of unlawful surveillance of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. Mr. Justice Cooke's authoritative report assesses, in a balanced and measured way, the evidence for these claims. As the House knows, The Sunday Timeson 9 February 2014 claimed...

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment ) Act 1998: Motions (19 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move:That Dáil Éireann resolves that section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 (No. 32 of 2009) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on 30th June, 2014 and ending on 29th June, 2015.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment ) Act 1998: Motions (19 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputies for their contributions to this debate. The substantial threat that remains from terrorist activity, particularly from dissident republican paramilitary groups, warrants the continuance in force of the Act's provisions. The message needs to go out, loud and clear, that the State will not bow to the self-serving interests of such individuals and will continue in its...

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment ) Act 1998: Motions (19 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move:That Dáil Éireann resolves that sections 2 to 4, 6 to 12, 14 and 17 of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 (No. 39 of 1998) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on 30 June 2014 and ending on 29 June 2015.The House will be aware that the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 was enacted in the wake of the murder of 29 people by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed Circuit Television Systems (19 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: CCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention and as aids to policing in areas to which the general public routinely have access, such as town centres, fall into two distinct categories: Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems. Garda CCTV systems are planned and implemented on the basis of an Garda Síochána's identified operational needs and priorities....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Welfare (19 Jun 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the primary role of the Irish Prison Service is the provision of safe and secure custody for prisoners. The Deputy will also be aware that the Prison Service must accept all persons committed by the courts into custody and does not have the option of refusing committals. I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that as of Wednesday 18 June 2014, there was a...