Written Answers Nos. 457-471
457. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when it is expected to finalise the application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) who has been married to an Irish citizen for over twenty years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29663/23]
View answerFurther to my answer to PQ Dáil no. 1060 of 18 April 2023, the naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
458. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the telephone numbers that the public use in relation to An Garda Síochána that are freephone; the numbers that incur a charge; for those numbers that incur a charge, how much was charged to callers in the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and who benefits from those charges, in tabular form. [29676/23]
View answerAs 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 for all Garda phone lines. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána operates a national telephone service which allows the public to contact Garda stations and other Garda operational and business services at local, divisional, regional and national levels. The vast majority of telephone communication numbers are provided by way of local geographical area code, which can be accessed on the Garda website at www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/
The exceptions to this are as follows:
|
Garda Contact |
Number |
Type of Service |
|
Garda Confidential Line |
1800 666 111 |
Freephone |
|
Garda National Economic Crime Bureau - Bribery & Corruption Confidential Reporting Line |
1800 406 080 |
Freephone |
|
Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line |
1800 555 222 |
Freephone |
|
Garda Fixed Charge Penalty Notice Office |
0818 506 080 |
Local Access Non-Geographical Number |
|
Garda National Vetting Unit |
0818 488 488 |
Local Access Non-Geographical Number |
|
Traffic Watch |
0818 205 805 |
Local Access Non-Geographical Number |
|
Firearms Licensing Payments |
0818 100 500 |
Local Access Non-Geographical Number |
|
Pilot SMS Reporting - "See Something, Say Something" |
50555 / 50311 |
Free Text Number |
In addition members of the public can contact An Garda Síochána using the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS), 112/999, this service is operated by the Department of Communications.
I am further advised that the amount charged to callers cannot be provided, as the costs incurred by a member of the public contacting An Garda Síochána using either non-geographical or local area code access telephone numbers is a private contract between them and their telephone service provider. In the case of freephone numbers the cost is incurred by An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána advise that it operates no primary rate numbers from which it generates an income.
459. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the number of foot, bicycle and other patrols, broken down by patrol type, carried out in each Garda district in Dublin as part of Operation Citizen during each month from January 2022 to May 2023; the financial resources specifically dedicated to Operation Citizen from January 2022 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29682/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion in Budget 2023.
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 for all operational policing decisions, and as the Accounting Officer of An Garda Síochána has responsibility for the Garda budget. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am however assured by the Garda authorities that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review to ensure their optimum use. Factors considered include crime trends, population stats and ongoing operations.
Operation Citizen was commenced with a view to assuring people that Dublin City is safe through high visibility patrolling and community engagement. The Operation commenced in October 2021 for the purpose of providing reassurance to citizens, visitors and the business community that Dublin city centre is a safe place in which to visit, conduct business, socialise and enjoy its amenities.
The aim of the operation is to deliver an enhanced high visibility policing presence in the city centre on a daily basis. Operation Citizen focuses on a collaborative community and stakeholder engagement approach, recognising that many of the issues that manifest themselves in the core city centre require a response that reaches beyond the Garda Síochána alone.
An Garda Síochána continue to positively engage with key stakeholders including Dublin City Council, business groups, the hospitality sector and voluntary bodies in addition to the formal collaboration within the Dublin City Centre Business Forum, the North Inner City Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP), the Dublin Central Joint Policing Committee (JPC) and the High Level Street Issues Working Group.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that Gardaí assigned to Operation Citizen continue to be deployed on beat patrol. I am informed that on a daily basis there are eight (8) mobile patrols patrolling the core city centre for each tour, assigned from both Store Street and Pearse Street Garda Stations. Where a requirement arises, mobiles assigned to the Bridewell, Mountjoy, Kevin Street and the wider DMR also provide a response capability.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Station on O'Connell Street was officially opened on 10 March 2023. The station provides a base for the deployment of members assigned to Operation Citizen and also a centre for members of the public to call to report a crime, seek advice or speak to a member of An Garda Síochána. The Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS) also provides a presence in the location for the purpose of providing additional assistance and advice to the general public and visitors to the city centre. While the premises is not designated as a place of detention, it operates as a Garda Station with full services available to members of the public.
I am informed that Garda Members of the Garda Mounted, Garda Dog Unit, Armed Support Unit and DMR Roads Policing Unit support Operation Citizen by way of high visibility beats and mobile patrols, particularly at weekends and in support of organised events.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that Gardaí assigned to Operation Citizen continue to be deployed on beat patrol. Members dedicated to Operation Citizen are not routinely deployed on mobile patrols, however, typically, on a daily basis there are 8 mobiles patrolling the core city centre for each tour, assigned from both Store Street and Pearse Street Garda Stations. Where a requirement arises, mobiles assigned to the Bridewell, Mountjoy, Kevin Street and the wider DMR also provide a response capability.
Members of the Garda Mounted, Garda Dog Unit, Armed Support Unit and DMR Roads Policing Unit support Operation Citizen by way of high visibility beats and mobile patrols, particularly at weekends and in support of organised events.
460. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Justice if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29707/23]
View answerI understand the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) Unit have refused the application on the basis of information within the application did not reconcile with necessary proofs. This has been explained to the Agency and it remains open to them to make a further application, taking into account the reasons for refusal.
Further information on the Atypical Working Scheme, including the criteria , is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/what-are-my-work-visa-options/applying-for-a-long-stay-employment-visa/atypical-working-scheme/
461. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice when decisions will be made in the applications for atypical visas by a nursing home (details supplied), which has applied for 35 atypical visas since 15 March 2023, and has yet to receive a decision on any of these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29708/23]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that official in my Department corresponded with the organisation referred to last week regarding the issues of concern raised.
Ireland’s Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill short term labour gaps for the benefit of our economy. In recognition of the importance of front-line medical personnel, the AWS Unit prioritises these applications.
There has been an unprecedented demand for AWS permissions this year, with a significant increase in the number of applications for healthcare workers. Additional resources have been added to manage the Scheme recently.
My Department is working to reduce processing times through the modernisation of our systems and the introduction of efficiencies, as well as additional streamlining measures which should also reduce processing times for AWS applications.
The AWS unit continues to liaise with all relevant stakeholders in this area and further information on the Atypical Working Scheme, including the criteria for documents, is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/what-are-my-work-visa-options/applying-for-a-long-stay-employment-visa/atypical-working-scheme/
462. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice if her Department can consider a request (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29709/23]
View answerThe granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is 3 years. In both cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's Irish Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
463. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice when it is expected the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022 will progress; when it is expected to become law; if it is intended that people will be able to apply to the District Court for new licences in respect of a building that was previously a pub; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29745/23]
View answerThe General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill was published in October 2022 and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice conducted two pre-legislative scrutiny sessions in January, and published its report in March 2023.
Officials are engaging with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the drafting of the Bill, and despite the considerable length of the general scheme, I intend to publish the Bill and introduce it into the Oireachtas this year.
A key objective in reforming our alcohol licensing laws is to ensure that the licensing application process is modernised, efficient, cost-effective and facilitates accountability. In the interests of streamlining the court based system, it is proposed to move all court licensing matters to the District Court instead of the Circuit Court. Therefore, all new applicants will be required to apply to the District Court for a licence. It is intended that applications to renew existing licences that are not the subject of objection will be conducted through a new online system operated by the Courts Service of Ireland.
Modification of the current extinguishment requirement is necessary. The cost of purchasing (or extinguishing) an existing licence is considered to be a financial barrier to entry into the market, especially where the potential market is less profitable, such as in smaller towns and rural areas. It is proposed that the current extinguishment requirement for on-licences will be phased out over three years from enactment of the legislation. Extinguishment is not being totally removed. It will be retained for the purposes of opening new off-licences.
My officials continue to engage with An Garda Síochána to ensure that the Bill will contain all necessary powers of enforcement, including powers to inspect licensed premises and to ensure full compliance with licensing requirements and the need to maintain public order.
464. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to list all Peace Commissioners appointed from 11 February 2022 to date and the areas to which they were appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29755/23]
View answerPeace Commissioners are appointed and may be removed from that appointment by the Minister for Justice under section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924. The office of Peace Commissioner is an honorary one for which there is no remuneration or compensation by way of fees or expenses for their services.
My Department maintains the Roll of Peace Commissioners and while every effort is made to keep the Roll up to date, the records do not always reflect the actual situation on the ground. This is because the Department is informed by Peace Commissioners themselves, and other interested parties, of changes in circumstances of individual Peace Commissioners since their appointment.
I can inform the Deputy that 103 Peace Commissioners have been appointed in total throughout the country from 11 February 2022 to date. I have attached, for the Deputy’s information, a list of Peace Commissioners in each area.
The Deputy may wish to note that my Department is currently updating the Roll of Peace Commissioners and has commenced a review of the Peace Commissioner process in its entirety. Consideration is also being given to making a Register of Peace Commissioners available online.
List of Peace Commissioners appointed since 11 February 2022
|
YEAR |
MONTH |
NAME |
COUNTY |
SUB- DISTRICT |
|
2023 |
May |
Sean O'Shea |
Cork |
Blarney |
|
James Gerard Beirne |
Sligo |
Strandhill |
||
|
Jim Deery |
Meath |
Nobber |
||
|
April |
Carmel Mary O'Donoghue |
Cork |
Mallow |
|
|
Eamonn Melia |
Kildare |
Monasterevin |
||
|
Anne Feeney |
Dublin |
Terenure |
||
|
Verena Tarpey |
Limerick |
Limerick City |
||
|
March |
Sunil Sivan |
Dublin |
Tallaght |
|
|
Susan Brady |
Cavan |
Ballyhaise |
||
|
Jeremiah Sullivan |
Cork |
Eyeries |
||
|
Erig Conway |
Dublin |
Howth |
||
|
Paul Lavin |
Dublin |
Kilmainham |
||
|
Stephen Stokes |
Wicklow |
Greystones |
||
|
Mary Farrell |
Wexford |
Gorey |
||
|
Margaret Fleming |
Cavan |
Ballinagh |
||
|
Gayle Ralph |
Dublin |
Santry |
||
|
Sarah Hayes |
Cork |
Dunmanway |
||
|
Elza Alex Thachedathu |
Westmeath |
Mullingar |
||
|
Baby Pereppadan |
Dublin |
Tallaght |
||
|
Jagpreet Singh |
Dublin |
Swords |
||
|
January |
Renny Abraham |
Tipperary |
Clonmel |
|
|
Anwar Ul Haq Malik |
Dublin |
Lucan |
||
|
Sheamus Farrell |
Kildare |
Carbury |
||
|
James Haughey |
Donegal |
Letterkenny |
||
|
Philip Kelly |
Monaghan |
Carrickmacross |
||
|
2022 |
November |
Lorna Diffley |
Dublin |
Clontarf |
|
Mary Hoade |
Galway |
Corrandulla |
||
|
John O'Hara |
Mayo |
Ballina |
||
|
October |
Brian O'Reilly |
Cork |
Carrigtwohill |
|
|
Faisal Javaid |
Waterford |
Waterford City |
||
|
Phillippa O'Shea |
Cork |
Glanmire |
||
|
Ebenezer Agbana |
Dublin |
Lucan |
||
|
Michael Smyth |
Dublin |
Santry |
||
|
Patricia Gleeson |
Offaly |
Birr |
||
|
Jonathan Doyle |
Dublin |
Tallaght |
||
|
Brian Byrne |
Kildare |
Leixlip |
||
|
John Whelan |
Wexford |
Blackwater |
||
|
Garret Kelleher |
Cork |
Ballincollig |
||
|
July |
David Costello |
Dublin |
Santry |
|
|
Ronan Herlihy |
Dublin |
Kevin Street |
||
|
Siobhán Lucey |
Cork |
Ballyvourney |
||
|
Michael Cooney |
Meath |
Enfield |
||
|
Jayraj Gunoory |
Dublin |
Crumlin |
||
|
Tracey Hurney |
Galway |
Lough George |
||
|
Daniel O'Reilly |
Cavan |
Ballyjamesduff |
||
|
June |
John Daly |
Kerry |
Valentia |
|
|
Timmy Mounsey |
Tipperary |
Roscrea |
||
|
Leona Kelly |
Cork |
Cobh |
||
|
Deirdre Conroy |
Dublin |
Blackrock |
||
|
Iain Nash |
Wicklow |
Baltinglass |
||
|
Ted Burke |
Cork |
Liscarroll |
||
|
Dara Emmanuel Furey |
Donegal |
Buncrana |
||
|
Mairead Tóbín |
Dublin |
Dun Laoghaire |
||
|
Riona Quinlan |
Roscommon |
Ballaghaderreen |
||
|
Jacqueline Keating |
Laois |
Ballylinan |
||
|
May |
Brendan Wyse |
Kildare |
Naas |
|
|
Elaine Therese Clarke |
Laois |
Rathdowney |
||
|
John Prendergast |
Kilkenny |
Graiguenamanagh |
||
|
Michael Doyle |
Kilkenny |
Inistioge |
||
|
Sharon Nolan |
Galway |
Galway City |
||
|
Barry O'Higgins |
Cavan |
Virginia |
||
|
Róisín Garvey |
Clare |
Ennis |
||
|
Liona O'Toole |
Dublin |
Lucan |
||
|
Donagh Killilea |
Galway |
Tuam |
||
|
Nobel Mathew |
Dublin |
Lucan |
||
|
Cathal Haughey |
Dublin |
Santry |
||
|
Siobhán Dunphy |
Kilkenny |
Mooncoin |
||
|
John McGrath |
Cork |
Crosshaven |
||
|
Keith Kelly |
Cork |
Blarney |
||
|
Thomas Cooney |
Cavan |
Stradone |
||
|
Simon Maguire |
Limerick |
Henry Street |
||
|
Muireann Antoinette O'Neill |
Cork |
Passage West |
||
|
Gareth Scahill |
Roscommon |
Castlerea |
||
|
Maura Duffy |
Donegal |
Letterkenny |
||
|
Bindu Nair |
Dublin |
Lucan |
||
|
Michael Paul Murtagh |
Cork |
Crosshaven |
||
|
Jamie Meaney |
Cork |
Bantry |
||
|
March |
Michael McCarthy |
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny |
|
|
Thomas Peter O'Reilly |
Cavan |
Virginia |
||
|
Eileen Gleeson |
Tipperary |
Cappawhite |
||
|
Peter O'Donnell |
Mayo |
Castlebar |
||
|
Robert Maguire |
Westmeath |
Delvin |
||
|
Victor Kandle |
Dublin |
Santry |
||
|
Lynn McCrave |
Dublin |
Rathfarnham |
||
|
David Dineen |
Limerick |
Ballylanders |
||
|
Donal Sheehan |
Cork |
Knocknagree |
||
|
Cllr Mike Cubbard |
Galway |
Galway City |
||
|
Brian McDermott |
Limerick |
Roxoboro Rd. |
||
|
Paul Lawless |
Mayo |
Knock |
||
|
Stephanie Reid |
Galway |
Tuam |
||
|
Sarah Kelly |
Monaghan |
Castleblaney |
||
|
George Lawlor |
Wexford |
Wexford |
||
|
Karen Gibson |
Dublin |
Finglas |
||
|
Denis O'Connor |
Dublin |
Blackrock |
||
|
John O'Dwyer |
Tipperary |
Cashel |
||
|
Cllr. Liam Madden |
Cork |
Mallow |
||
|
Erin McGann |
Dublin |
Raheny |
||
|
John McCarthy |
Cork |
Bridewell |
||
|
Annamarie Brown |
Kilkenny |
Graiguenamanagh |
||
|
Joan Ryan |
Kilkenny |
Graiguenamanagh |
||
|
Holly Canavan |
Meath |
Navan |
||
|
Hitesh Sumit Prajapati |
Dublin |
Finglas |
||
|
Ian Lawless |
Dublin |
Balbriggan |
465. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of unaccompanied or separated children whom her Department referred to the Tusla under section 14 of the International Protection Act 2015 in advance of an application for international protection being lodged in 2022 and to date in 2023, broken down by year, gender and nationality, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29787/23]
View answerThe International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department is responsible for examining all international protection applications received. The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) has statutory responsibility for the care of any unaccompanied minors in the State.
If an unaccompanied minor indicates that they wish to apply for international protection, they are referred to Tusla, either by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) or the Border Management Agency (BMU) at the airport/port of entry, or by staff at the IPO of my Department. The IPO refers all persons who present at the IPO indicating that they wish to apply for international protection and who appear to be an unaccompanied minors to Tusla.
Based on the acceptance by Tusla of the unaccompanied minor into their services, it shall be presumed that the person concerned is a child and the Child Care Acts 1991 to 2013, the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 and other enactments relating to the care and welfare of persons who have not attained the age of 18 years shall apply accordingly.
Section 15(4) of the International Protection Act 2015, provides that where it appears to Tusla, on the basis of information, including legal advice, available to it, that an application for international protection should be made on behalf of a child under 18 in respect of whom it is providing care and protection, it shall arrange for an employee of the Agency to make an application on behalf of the child and to represent and assist the child with respect to the examination of the application.
All applications for international protection made by Tusla on behalf of unaccompanied minors are prioritised by the IPO for processing, and the IPO has specially trained caseworkers to process these applications. Specific arrangements will be made by the IPO in conjunction with Tusla for the processing of the application. Tusla will support the minor throughout the process, including attending at their interview.
For a variety of reasons, not all unaccompanied minors referred to Tusla will make an application for international protection. Some may be inappropriate referrals, others may not be brought into the care of Tusla, and a number will be reunited with their families, who then have responsibility for submitting a protection application or other immigration application.
The information sought by the Deputy regarding a breakdown of the referrals of unaccompanied minors to Tusla can be found below.
Breakdown of Gender of unaccompanied minors referred to Tusla by the IPO*
|
Gender |
2022 |
2023 (end May) |
|
Male |
136 |
61 |
|
Female |
41 |
12 |
|
Non-Specified |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
177 |
73 |
Breakdown of nationality of unaccompanied minors referred to Tusla *
|
Nationality |
2022 |
2023 (end May ) |
|
Afghanistan |
71 |
29 |
|
Albania |
5 |
5 |
|
Algeria |
7 |
5 |
|
Cameroon |
5 |
0 |
|
DR Congo |
5 |
5 |
|
Egypt |
7 |
5 |
|
Eritrea |
5 |
5 |
|
Guinea |
5 |
0 |
|
India |
5 |
0 |
|
Ivory Coast |
5 |
0 |
|
Morocco |
5 |
0 |
|
Nigeria |
6 |
5 |
|
Pakistan |
5 |
5 |
|
Palestine |
5 |
0 |
|
Sierra Leone |
5 |
5 |
|
Somalia |
59 |
22 |
|
South Africa |
5 |
0 |
|
Sudan |
5 |
5 |
|
Syria |
5 |
0 |
|
Tunisia |
5 |
0 |
|
Ukraine |
5 |
0 |
|
Zimbabwe |
5 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
177 |
73 |
*Figures correct at time of issue. All statistics may be subject to data cleansing
466. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice to engage with a group (details supplied) regarding its concerns on parental alienation. [29844/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, last year, my Department committed to undertake both a public consultation and independent research on the topic of parental alienation as part of the Justice Plan 2022. The findings of both these strands were analysed and arising from this, my officials developed a policy paper on how to address the issue.
Minister Harris brought both the finalised policy paper and the research report to Government on the 23 May, which noted his intention to publish both reports. Both the research report and the policy paper have now been published on the Department’s website, a link to which can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/20df3-parental-alienation-research-report-and-policy-paper/.
In advance of publication, officials from the Department of Justice provided interested Oireachtas members with a briefing on the topic, as well as a briefing to representatives of NGOs and other stakeholders, which included the organisation referred to by the Deputy. The organisation's submission to the public consultation was also considered alongside others received.
Both the paper and the report recognised that parental alienation is a highly contested and divisive concept. Due to a lack of any systematic court data on family law matters at Circuit and District Court levels we have little concrete information on the exact extent of accusations of parental alienation within the Irish Courts. However, the research report found that, similar to other courts internationally, they appear to be encountering increasing claims of parental alienation in family law proceedings. It appears to arise particularly in custody and access disputes and in cases where allegations of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence feature.
Despite the highly contested nature of the concept there was consensus in the public consultation that the means to address parental alienation lie in improvements to the Irish family courts and family justice system. My Department are currently leading on an ambitious programme of family justice reform, including the publication of the Family Justice Strategy and the Family Courts Bill 2022. The Strategy puts children at the centre of the system, and emphasises amongst other things the need to ensure they are listened to and heard and their views given due regard (in line with constitutional obligations and rights).
Reflecting this, the policy paper puts forward six recommendations to address the issue of parental alienation. They centre on progressing elements of family justice reform, building the system’s capacity to adequately hear the voice of children, and improve the knowledge, skills and experience of all those involved in order to make the best determinations in relation to each case on its own merits. This is especially important in high-conflict cases, in which allegations of parental alienation can often arise.
Implementation of the strategy is being led by the Family Justice Implementation Group which includes representatives of key stakeholders including the Courts Service, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Legal Aid Board, the Judiciary, and the County Registrars Association.
The Family Justice Development Forum at which all interested stakeholders, including NGOs, are represented, provides an opportunity for them to directly engage with the implementation process and key issues arising in the area of family justice.
467. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a list of all peace commissioners, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29852/23]
View answer468. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice if she will list all of the peace commissioners that have been appointed since the beginning of this Government term, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29853/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 468 together.
Peace Commissioners are appointed and may be removed from that appointment by the Minister for Justice under section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924. The office of Peace Commissioner is an honorary one for which there is no remuneration or compensation by way of fees or expenses for their services.
A person who wishes to be considered for the position of Peace Commissioner can make an application to my Department or a third party may nominate an individual for the position. Applications can be sent to Office of the Minister for Justice, 51 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.
My Department maintains the Roll of Peace Commissioners and while every effort is made to keep the Roll up to date, the records do not always reflect the actual situation on the ground. This is because the Department is informed by Peace Commissioners themselves, and other interested parties, of any changes in circumstances of individual Peace Commissioners since their appointment.
I can inform the Deputy that the total number of Peace Commissioners recorded throughout the country is currently 5,099, however a number of these may no longer be active. I have attached, for the Deputy’s information, a list of Peace Commissioners currently appointed in each County along with a list of Peace Commissioners appointed in each County since the beginning of this Government term.
The Deputy may wish to note that my Department is currently updating the Roll of Peace Commissioners and has commenced a review of the Peace Commissioner process in its entirety. Consideration is also being given to making a Register of Peace Commissioners available online.
469. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on requests previously made by an organisation (details supplied) that his Department create a national herd DNA profile database in order to enhance the traceability options available for Irish beef is being included and rolled out as part of the new national herd genotyping programme; if he will also advise on a specific aspect of this request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29069/23]
View answerI recently announced funding for a major genotyping programme for Irish cattle. This programme, which is being run through a strategic public-private partnership model, will enhance the environmental sustainability, health and productivity of Irish beef and dairy herds. To be clear, this is a voluntary genotyping programme, which will be available to both beef and dairy herd owners, over a five-year period. It represents a significant step towards genotyping of the national bovine herd.
In late 2022, I received reports from the Food Vision Dairy and Beef & Sheep Groups on how emissions from both sectors could be reduced, either through direct or enabling measures.
Driving down emissions through targeted breeding strategies featured as a direct impact measure in both reports. The key building block for the breeding strategies referenced in the reports is a national genotyping strategy.
Genotyping involves taking a tissue sample from breeding females and males and building a DNA bank of that data. When new calves are born, they are matched to their sire and dam. If carried out at national scale, genotyping would give the Irish cattle industry 100 percent traceability at the DNA level.
The genetic data collected will be analysed to identify specific traits or characteristics that are important to farmers such as disease resistance, milk or meat production, or fertility. In addition, the information gathered will be used to develop breeding strategies aimed at improving the overall genetic merit of the herd.
Research undertaken by Teagasc and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation has highlighted the significant benefits that can accrue to Irish farmers and related industries with higher genetic merit herds being more profitable and with a lower carbon footprint.
In addition to improving economic and environmental sustainability, genotyping the national herd will have a number of co-benefits, including:
- providing a unique selling point in terms of traceability, which is important for marketing our quality produce, particularly for international trade; and
- providing greater certainty about the quality of dairy beef calves, with benefits both for the farmers rearing those calves and for calf health and welfare.
In conclusion, traceability is an important aspect of genotyping however it should be noted that this is a voluntary programme which represents a step towards genotyping of the national bovine herd.
470. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the tonnage of meat imported into Ireland to date in 2023, by month and meat product that is, beef, sheep and pig meat, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29099/23]
View answerRegarding the volume of meat imported into the Irish market, I understand that the trade figures for 2022 and 2023 are currently subject to revision by the CSO and that amended datasets will be published later this week.
I will forward the requested data when available directly to the Deputy.
Of course Ireland is among the largest net exporter of meat in the world and the volume and value of exports is many times that of imports.
|
January |
February |
March |
April |
|||||
|
Exports |
Imports |
Exports |
Imports |
Exports |
Imports |
Exports |
Imports |
|
|
Tonnes |
Tonnes |
Tonnes |
Tonnes |
Tonnes |
Tonnes |
Tonnes |
Tonnes |
|
|
Beef |
37,171 |
2,847 |
38,041 |
2,973 |
44,197 |
2,685 |
34,436 |
2,730 |
|
Sheepmeat |
5,151 |
651 |
4,683 |
870 |
6,661 |
832 |
5,018 |
444 |
|
Pigmeat |
20,234 |
6,022 |
19,955 |
5,664 |
24,188 |
6,411 |
18,858 |
6,516 |
471. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the measures his Department has taken to implement the recommendation of the final report of the beef taskforce that the Irish Government should seek the invocation by the EU of the World Trade Organisation's safeguard clause to reduce the level of beef imports from third countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29139/23]
View answerAccording to bovine trade statistics published by the European Union for the period 2018 to 2022, approximately 877,000 metric tonnes of product (in carcase weight equivalent) was exported from the EU annually. By contrast, import volumes amounted to approximately 399,000 tonnes annually, or 45 percent of export volumes, during the same period.
This data, which can be accessed at Agri-food data portal | Agricultural markets (europa.eu), shows that the EU is a significant net beneficiary of global trade flows in beef and other products for which the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is the international standard-setting body.
Regarding the volume of beef imported into the Irish market, I understand that the trade figures for 2022 and 2023 are currently subject to revision by the CSO and that amended datasets will be published later this week.
The conditions governing the importation of goods and services to the EU, including Ireland, are determined by EU law and the terms and conditions of international trade agreements between the EU and third countries, made on the basis of a rules-based trading order.
As a sector dependent almost entirely on export markets, the Irish agri-food sector, and in particular the beef sector, is a significant beneficiary of the European single market and rules-based international trading arrangements administered through the WTO.
For this reason, Ireland is broadly supportive of the framework that governs international trade, but prioritises a balanced approach in negotiations on new free trade agreements; an approach which seeks to take into account sensitive sectors of EU economy and that sustainability issues are addressed.
It is not open to Ireland to unilaterally establish conditions for the importation of goods and services, nor would it be in the best interests of the agri-food sector to do so.
The WTO Agreement on Agriculture includes provisions for a safeguard measure. The activation of this measure by WTO members is subject to very specific criteria for triggering such provisions. If the trigger requirements for the mechanism are met at EU level, it would require further consideration of such a request at EU level.
