Results 1-20 of 8,855 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Prison Service (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Senator Keogan for raising this important matter. It is unquestionably the case that we have a problem in respect of prison overcrowding. It is also the case that we need to make additional space available in our prisons in order to deal with an increase in the prison population over the past number of years. A great deal of work has been done to date to enhance prison...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Prison Service (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will clarify what I said in case there is any ambiguity. I said the Department had revoked the ministerial order put in place for the Thornton Hall site and that there were plans to develop a replacement order in the coming months. That is what I indicated to the Senator. In terms of Thornton Hall being used as a prison, it is unquestionably the case that we need further prison space....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Senator Kennelly for raising this important matter. I am well aware of the usefulness and significance of CCTV footage from my time as Minister for Justice and, indeed, before. Last Friday, I was in Anglesea Street Garda station in Cork where I was given a presentation on the vast array of CCTV footage that is available to gardaí as a result of CCTV cameras placed in Cork city....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I note the Senator's point about the CCTV footage from the Dublin riots. He is correct in stating that it was very helpful to An Garda Síochána in seeking to identify and prosecute individuals involved in the riots. I am aware of the confusion that can sometimes exist around the process for local authorities to apply. The Senator will be aware that I commenced the Policing,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Crime Prevention (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I commend her on her tireless advocacy on behalf of citizens and people in Dublin Central. I am fully aware of the issue of retail crime, not just in the constituency of Dublin Central but in the cities and towns throughout Ireland. It is a significant issue for people who are trying to run businesses in those towns and cities. The...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Crime Prevention (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is important to emphasise, as I always do, that one of the problems I face as Minister for Justice is that people want to see more gardaí in every community. It is a great advantage we have in Ireland. In some other countries, people do not want to see a police force in their communities because they do not trust it. The overwhelming majority of Irish people trust An Garda...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Crime Prevention (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am delighted to be in the Seanad.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed by Garda authorities that when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’. In the interest of transparency, figures related to the Garda workforce are published on my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reviews (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that any non-EEA national student who is enrolled on a course or a Degree Programme from the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) is allowed to undertake an internship. However, this must form part of their course and contribute towards the final award. For those studying on a Stamp 3 immigration permission, an internship, once forming part of the course and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: At the outset, it is important to note that, as Minister, I do not comment on individual Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) applications. I can, however, inform the Deputy that my Department does not receive or hold funds at any stage in the IIP process; this is a private matter between a potential investor(s) and a potential project concerned. The IIP Unit of my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I can also advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department have recently issued correspondence to the person concerned requesting some further information. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, particularly considering the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that an online application for renewal of immigration permission for the person concerned was approved on 3 April 2025. An Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card will be issued by post to the person cited within 10-15 working days of the date of approval. As these card are manufactured offsite, this process cannot be expedited. As an Oireachtas member, you can also...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 547 of 25 March 2025 where you sought: “To ask the Minister for Justice the number of CCTV cameras located within the Dublin metropolitan region operated by An Garda Síochána between 2020 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter." As you will recall, I sought the information from the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: An Garda Síochána needs modern tools and equipment to protect people from harm and save lives. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to allow for the use of biometric technologies in certain, very controlled circumstances as a tool to process evidence in serious cases. Work is well advanced on the drafting of a Bill to amend the Recording Devices Act to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Services (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: 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: Departmental Projects (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 316, 319 and 320 together. My Department complies with the “Interim Guidelines for Use of AI in the Public Service” issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in February 2024 and also with guidance issued to all Government Departments in June 2023 by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Artificial Intelligence (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together. Neither my Department nor the bodies under its aegis have any projects underway with CeADAR.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 322 together. My Department is committed to delivering high quality customer service to all of our customers, including members of the public. The approach of our service to customers is to be fair, friendly and sensitive and in accordance with the commitments and standards set by my Department's Customer Charter 2023-2025 which is published at...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Surveys (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department has not commissioned any specific surveys to estimate the amount of time taken up with administrative tasks, however, all aspects of our work are kept under review in order to ensure that operations remain fit for purpose. My Department has established a comprehensive programme of work to deliver on our ICT Strategy to replace legacy and manual processes with new effective...

Seanad: Prohibition of Advertising or Importuning Sex for Rent Bill 2025: Second Stage (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Harmon a scríobh an Bille agus leis na Seanadóirí eile as labhairt sa díospóireacht inniu. I thank Senator Harmon for going to the effort of putting together this legislation. I commend her and the other Members in her group on using Private Members' time for the purpose of progressing the Bill. As somebody who was a...