Results 1,961-1,980 of 15,060 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Seanad: Family Courts Bill 2022: Committee Stage (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: This amendment to section 97 inserts additional paragraphs to bring the provisions regarding the application of the in camera rule into line with section 40 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, as amended. This addresses an issue identified by the High Court in a family law case which concerned conduct in a case related to family law proceedings affecting the judicial complaints...

Seanad: Family Courts Bill 2022: Committee Stage (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I take on board what the Senator has said. There is a separate body of work that the family justice strategy is looking at and, as part of that strategy, a review is beginning this month of the in camera rule specific to family law proceedings. While the intention is perhaps not specific to the point referenced by the Senator, I think it is all one and the same. Where abuse continues to...

Seanad: Family Courts Bill 2022: Committee Stage (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am happy to look at that. My understanding is that the specific section on the penalties restates the provisions of section 40 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 and that is why it is here but I take the Senator's point. We want to make sure that what is in the Bill is effective and that it acts as a deterrent, as well as everything else. I will take on board what the Senator is...

Seanad: Family Courts Bill 2022: Committee Stage (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: These amendments are being proposed following consideration of representations made by stakeholders, particularly those who work with victims of domestic violence. The proposed new section 99 will restrict the ability of an applicant or respondent to personally cross-examine an applicant, respondent or a person under 18 unless the court considers it in the interests of justice to do so....

Seanad: Family Courts Bill 2022: Committee Stage (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am happy to engage with the Senator on this. I take on board his point and will see if we can either provide further clarification or, if needs be, to amend it to respond to his point.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution. It should be noted that the Department does not record data...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 165 together. I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service employs nurses across the prison estate to provide primary care to the prison population and work as part of the prison healthcare team. The Irish Prison Service does not currently employ full-time Addiction Nurses. There are, however, a number of primary care nurses who are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the addition of new facilities to the Garda estate. Works on the Garda estate are carried out in close cooperation between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Garda management. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to providing An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including any decisions relating to procurement of services and equipment. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: One of the overarching goals of Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, which I published in June 2022, is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one and under the strategy we have committed to doubling the number of refuge units across the country. This represents the fastest ever expansion of refuge accommodation in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I would like to congratulate the person referred to by the Deputy on being granted Irish Citizenship. I appreciate receiving the Certificate of naturalisation is important to all applicants and I recognise that there has been a delay issuing Certificates for minors. I am pleased to say that the issues with printing have been resolved and applicants can expect to receive their Certificate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to provide the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that all deaths in custody are notified to An Garda Síochána, who investigate where circumstances warrant, in addition to the inquest held in the Coroner's Court. The cause of death is determined by a jury on the basis of the information presented to the Coroner's Court. All deaths in custody, and deaths that occur within one month of temporary release,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service offers multidimensional drug rehabilitation programmes for people in custody with access to a range of medical and rehabilitative services, such as methadone substation treatment, psycho social services, and ‘work and training’ options which assist in addressing their substance misuse. The Irish Prison Service Drugs...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (2 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Family Reunification application for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time. All applications are processed in chronological order. The speed in which a decision can be made largely depends on the quality of the application received. My Department will continue to engage with the applicant for any further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer the Visa was issued on 25 September 2024. The applicant should be advised that entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individuals to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland for presentation to the Immigration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (1 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. ...