Results 14,221-14,240 of 17,543 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1090 and 1091 together. I understand the concerns that people have in relation to the purchase for delivery of alcohol products and I am very conscious of the detrimental effects of alcohol dependency on families and society. In terms of assessing whether a review of legislation is required in relation to the delivery of alcohol, it is essential that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The Act distinguishes between the entitlement to citizenship by birth and descent and to the acquisition of citizenship through the naturalisation process. Following a referendum of the Irish people, the 27th amendment to the Constitution changed the situation in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (3 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy and will revert directly as soon as it is to hand.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: There are a number of points on which we can all agree. We can all agree we want to bring the virus under control, reduce the spread of Covid-19 and do so by working together. I do not just mean all of us in the House but each and every one of us in the country. I also think we can agree, particularly as we are now at level 5 and infections are increasing at the rate they are, that we...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to speak in support of my colleague, the Minister for Health, on this important legislation. He has outlined the detail of the legislation and the intention of the Bill, which is the intention of all of us here, that is, to reduce the spread of the virus. Covid-19 remains a real threat to all of us and, in particular, to our most vulnerable citizens. This is a critical time...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic Violence Services (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: Some €2 million has been provided for victims of crime. That includes victims of domestic and sexual violence. On top of that, an additional €327,000 has been assigned to enabling those organisations to promote their services so that people know they are there. That funding is not intended to enable them to carry out the services. As the Minister for Children and Youth...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic Violence Services (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising an important current matter. We have seen how incidents of domestic violence have, unfortunately, been increasing in any event but have increased further since the onset of Covid-19. I am very conscious of that and it is the reason we allocated the additional funding this year. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and I very much share his concerns...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gangland Crime (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: This is an area that we continually review. I cannot confirm at this stage whether it will be included in this particular legislation. It is important, however, that we ensure our legislation is strong enough, as well as providing additional supports such as financial resources and ensuring the Garda has the equipment and the technology it needs. It is also important that this type of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gangland Crime (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: I do not have the data to hand. Over the past few months, however, we have seen a downward trajectory in crime levels. We have also had successful investigations targeting serious and organised crime. On 13 October, 8 kg of cannabis, with an estimated street value of €160,000, was seized. On 10 October, as part of an investigation, €22,000 worth of cannabis was seized along...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Inquiries (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: At the outset, I offer my condolences to the family of the late Shane O'Farrell. I understand that he was an exceptional young man and his death nine years ago, at the age of 23, was a terrible tragedy. I note that the Deputy has raised this case a number of times and that she raised it previously with me in the Chamber. As she will be aware, a retired judge, Gerard Haughton, is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Inquiries (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am informed that it is likely that it will be mid-December, so I do hope we will receive the report then. That is the timeline that I will set and that I will ask the judge to stick to. The most important point is that the family get answers to their questions. The reason we have set out this scoping exercise first is to see whether a public inquiry would bring about those answers for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Inquiries (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: It is difficult for me to pre-empt what may or may not be in this report but I have every confidence that Judge Haughton will carry out his work, will take all of the information and the evidence that is available to him and will come to a decision and include that in the report by the end of the year. I again offer my condolences to the family of Shane O'Farrell and I will work with them,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gangland Crime (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: I know this is an issue in which the Deputy has taken a great interest. I am determined that organised crime must not take hold in our communities. The Government and An Garda Síochána are united in our resolve to relentlessly target organised crime at all levels and to send a clear message to criminals that we will take all necessary actions to stop them, to bring them to justice...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Reviews (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question. The principal aim of the changes made by Part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, was to provide additional protection to those involved in prostitution, especially for those that are particularly vulnerable and are victims of human trafficking. Among the changes made was to remove those who offer their services as a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Reviews (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: The review was to start three years after the legislation was passed. It was to start in March, but with the election, the formation of the Government and Covid-19, there was a slight delay. There is also the fact that Maura Butler, who is conducting the review, is also undertaking a review of familicide. Two pieces of work are taking place concurrently. I spoke to Ms Butler this week...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Reviews (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: I undertake to get those figures for the Deputy. As I said, of the 20 people who have been charged, 17 are female and three are male. I must admit, I asked the same question as to why out of the 60 incidents, 31 of the 37 were female. Is there a situation where many of these women are doing so under coercion or pressure and do not necessarily wish to be there? Of the 60, only 17 have been...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: I agree with the Deputy. If somebody needs to travel, he or she needs documentation. In my Department, specifically the section dealing with immigration, visas and those type of requests, there is a paper-based system. It is very much behind compared with other Departments, such as my previous Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs, which has an award-winning online system for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. My Department provides funding to a range of organisations, allocated subject to a number of conditions appropriate for public funds. This is applicable to most Departments when they give out funding. These conditions include confirmation of charitable status, tax clearance, audited accounts and so on. In 2020, my Department committed almost...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy. The Department has offered to meet the group and that has not been taken up, but I am happy to meet the group. The legislation that was passed criminalises the buying of sex, the buying of sex from persons who are trafficked and also criminalises those who manage, organise or own brothels. I accept what the Deputy is saying, that this group might have a different view,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Oct 2020)

Helen McEntee: The challenge here is that we have legislation that criminalises the buying of sex and those who run brothels. I have spoken with officials at great length and inquired myself. This particular organisation does not agree with the idea that it should be criminalised and that this is something that potentially exploits women and girls. A significant number of women who find themselves in...