Results 13,881-13,900 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reviews (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government decided on 13 May 2014 to have an independent expert review of the performance, management and administration of the Department of Justice and Equality carried out and completed before the Summer Recess. In view of the urgency of this timeline, I will appoint a high calibre review panel, along the lines of that appointed for the Wright review of the Department of Finance in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Legislation (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 662 to 665, inclusive, together. The Gambling Control Bill, (the General Scheme of which is available on my Department's website) makes provision for the licensing of "moderate" sized casinos in Ireland for the first time. The legislation will, when enacted, establish a single licensing authority for gambling, namely the Minister for Justice and Equality. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Legislation (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Gambling Control Bill, the General Scheme of which was approved by Government in July 2013, will update all existing laws on the regulation of betting and gaming (other than the National Lottery). The Bill will confer responsibility for all regulatory matters on the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Minister's functions will include licensing, inspections and prosecutions and they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Confidential Recipient (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy's Question is in respect of the operation of the Garda Síochána (Confidential Reporting of Corruption or Malpractice) Regulations 2007, which provide for the appointment of an independent Confidential Recipient to whom members of the Force, and civilian support staff, can report, in confidence, instances where they believe there may be corruption or malpractice within the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the fact that there are aspects of the economic crisis that are having an impact on the availability of training contracts and apprenticeships for those seeking to qualify as solicitors. I am also aware that there has been a reduction in the number of practising solicitors, of whom over 1,000 are reported to remain unemployed, and this has been accompanied by some decline in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ground Rents Payments (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The position is that section 2 of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1978 introduced a prohibition on the creation of new leases reserving ground rents on dwellings. As regards existing ground rents, Part III of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (No.2) Act 1978 contains a statutory scheme whereby a person may, at reasonable cost, acquire the fee simple in his or her dwelling. To...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Television Licence Fee Collection (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system. In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the table below shows the number of persons convicted for non payment of a TV...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Accommodation (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The programme of refurbishment and replacement of Garda accommodation is based on accommodation priorities which are established by An Garda Síochána. The programme is advanced in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Funding for such works is met by the Office of Public Works. In that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal Funding (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 672 to 674, inclusive, together. I can inform the Deputy that under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted that the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual applications that fall to be considered under the Scheme. The Tribunal's budget for 2014 is €4.231 m....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting of Personnel (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 675 to 677, inclusive, together. I refer the Deputy to previous replies to him in respect of PQs 16310, 16311 and 16312. As I indicated previously to the Deputy the amendment of the Vetting Act will be done via the Spent Convictions Bill. I expect to be in a position to commence the provisions of the 2012 Act in the autumn of 2014. The National Vetting Bureau...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Prosecutions (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy has been advised in reply to his previous questions, following an investigation of the incident referred to, a person was arrested, charged with assault and convicted following a plea of guilty. The court ordered compensation to be paid to the injured party, and I am advised this was done. As the Deputy is aware, the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the persons referred to by the Deputy were granted permission to remain in the State for a period of five years on 24 January, 2014. This permission is based on being the dependant family member of an EU citizen who is resident in the State and in exercise of EU Treaty rights in accordance with the provisions of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Districts (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is already aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of demographics, crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer to the reply to Question No. 155 of 14 May 2013. In that reply, I stated that I will be reviewing the work done to date in respect of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill in consultation with my officials, following which I will decide on how best to progress the implementation of the Government's priorities, particularly those relating to the establishment of a single...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Retirements (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Members of An Garda Síochána who joined the force prior to 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension once they have served for at least 30 years and they have reached 50 years of age. Members of An Garda Síochána who joined the Force on or after 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension once they have served at least 30 years and have reached 55 years of age. In both cases...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: If the person whose details were supplied 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. The question of leave to remain in the State on humanitarian or compassionate grounds, in the case of persons who fail to secure protection status, would be a matter...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Private Security Industry Regulation (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Private Security Authority (PSA), established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry. The Authority is an independent body under the aegis of my Department. The vetting of applicants by the Authority is an integral part of the licensing process. In the case of contractor...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations Opening Hours (27 May 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: Banking Sector Investigations (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I share the widespread concern that all of the criminal investigations into the former Anglo-Irish Bank be resolved as soon as possible. Arising from major investigations carried out by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI) and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE), the Director of Public Prosecutions has issued directions that certain individuals be charged...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Status Applications (27 May 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Sections 8 and 9 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) provide that a person who arrives at the frontiers of the State seeking asylum or otherwise indicating an unwillingness to leave the State for fear of persecution shall be given leave to enter the State and may apply to the Minister for a declaration as a refugee and seek the protection of the State. Any person subsequently granted...