Parliamentary questions

Asylum Applications

Mick Wallace

34. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the prohibition on the right to work for asylum-seekers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35418/14]

Criminal Records Data

Mick Wallace

103. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will confirm that all criminal records may be found within the Data Protection Processing Unit of the Garda Síochána; if she will confirm that the Garda are capable of locating within their own records every criminal record handed down by the State; the reason An Garda Síochána will not issue a police certificate, otherwise known as a criminal record, when asked to do so for the purpose of employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36054/14]

Garda Disciplinary Proceedings

Mick Wallace

104. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the reinstatement of a garda (details supplied); the reason the garda was reinstated, for a second time, after being dismissed from An Garda Síochána; if she will disclose the person responsible for reinstating the garda; if she will consider disciplinary action against those who worked to have the garda reinstated in Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36055/14]

Garda Operations

Mick Wallace

3. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether there is adequate external oversight and monitoring of Garda covert surveillance; the steps he has taken to address the level of internally authorised surveillance by gardaí under section 7(3) of the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009; if he will provide an itemised list of communications and-or correspondence methods that he and An Garda Síochána agree require authorisation or monitoring under the current legislation; and if, and to what extent, this includes e-mail and-or Internet and tracking devices. [19557/14]

Corrib Gas Field

Mick Wallace

6. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the renewed concerns and requests of Afri and Archbishop Desmond Tutu regarding policing issues in Corrib and the wider examination of police accountability issues here, if he will now order an independent inquiry in this regard in view of the fact that he has already refused in December 2013 to exercise his ministerial power to order a practice, policies and procedures GSOC review under section 106 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. [19268/14]

Data Protection

Mick Wallace

12. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will detail and publish his strategy and An Garda Síochána action plan addressing the concerns and recommendations arising from the Data Protection Commissioner’s internal audit in March 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19269/14]

Commissions of Investigation

Mick Wallace

14. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he forward a document which summarises the differences between the Verrimus report and the RITS peer review regarding GSOC bugging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19270/14]

Racial Profiling

Mick Wallace

19. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his position and belief has now changed regarding the existence of racial or ethnic profiling within An Garda Síochána as indicated by his comments at the annual conference of Garda superintendents on 9 April 2014; the action he will now take and legislation he will now introduce to address these concerns, to include legislation prohibiting Garda racial profiling as recommended by the UN and the Council of Europe. [19271/14]

Haddington Road Agreement Review

Mick Wallace

26. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the fact that the current Haddington Road review of An Garda Síochána focuses only on resources, staffing, pay and industrial relations matters, if he will consider extending these terms to encompass the first ever full and independent root and branch review of An Garda Síochána to include for example Garda practices, policies and procedures; the person he has asked to conduct the Haddington Road review as proposed; and if that review will be published in full on completion. [19267/14]

Refugee Appeals Tribunal Decisions

Mick Wallace

528. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the method and criteria used in the appointment, not initial selection, of members to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in November 2013 and March 2014; if he will consider introducing a legislative requirement in the long-awaited IRP Bill that such appointments must be made through open competition along with a legislative requirement that members possess an expertise in refugee law; and if he will consider publishing statistics relating to each RAT member’s decisions in order to ensure a broad consistency, particularly in relation to credibility issues, reasonableness, use of country-of-origin information and the standard-burden of proof required. [19466/14]

Commissions of Investigation

Mick Wallace

580. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will publish the Commission of Investigation report of Grainne McMorrow SC into the death in 2007 of a person (details supplied) in Mountjoy Prison; if he will publish this in its entirety; and the action he will take on foot of the contents of that report. [19228/14]

Gender Balance

Mick Wallace

583. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to address the gender pay gap, which has increased to 14.4%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12173/14]

Ombudsman for Children Reports

Mick Wallace

489. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will publish the reports of the Ombudsman for Children into the Health Service Executive conduct, and the report of the Ombudsman under section 42 of the Garda Act 2005 into the Garda conduct, both relating to the Roma children controversy last October; if he will publish these reports before the Easter break; and if he will publish them in their entirety, aside from any redactions necessary to protect the identity of children involved, along with the internal reports of the HSE and the Garda provided to the Ombudsman for Children, Emily O'Reilly, for consideration in the course of her investigation. [17845/14]

Garda Operations

Mick Wallace

766. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of allegations that more than 40 Traveller families, including a Traveller baby, were registered on the PULSE system, if he will set out in detail the specific enquiries he has made and assurances he has received from the Garda Commissioner regarding same; if he will publish any relevant correspondence; and if he will set out in detail the steps that both he and the Commissioner have taken since he was made aware of the whistleblower's allegations in this regard by e-mail in December 2012. [13419/14]

Departmental Investigations

Mick Wallace

767. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that he will extend the terms of reference of the section 42 inquiry into the Roma children controversy to now include an examination of Garda racial profiling practices and any impact on the Garda conduct and decision to remove the two Roma children from their families; if he will examine the wider question of whether and to what degree racial profiling practices exist in An Garda Síochána; and if he will make recommendations in this regard. [13420/14]

Equality Issues

Mick Wallace

768. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he has taken to address the findings regarding Garda racial profiling as set out in the European Commission on Racism and Intolerance report of February 2013; and if, in accordance with the strong recommendations of that report and of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, his programme for legislative reform will include a Bill to prohibit racial profiling by gardaí, which is all the more necessary in view of the fact that services provided by gardaí are largely exempt from protection by equality legislation. [13421/14]

Magdalen Laundries

Mick Wallace

151. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in relation to the Magdalen laundries ex gratia scheme, the date on which women can expect pensions and health care; if women living abroad will receive health care coverage; if health care coverage will include private hospitals and services as currently enjoyed by Health (Amendment) Act cardholders; if and when an independent dedicated unit and helpline will be put in place to assist survivors; if the Government will set up a truth-finding investigation to establish the facts of the Magdalen laundries, as distinct from the McAleese committee which was set up to establish the facts of State involvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11164/14]

Courts Service

Mick Wallace

303. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and location of courthouses in the ownership of his Department in the Wexford area; the number of these premises that operate as courthouses; and if there are alternatives plans for their usage. [10228/14]

Courts Service

Mick Wallace

304. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of premises that are currently rented for use as a courthouse in Wexford; the cost of same; and if it is his intention to continue with these arrangements. [10229/14]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Reports

Mick Wallace

3. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps taken to address the issues raised in the section 80(5) GSOC report regarding Garda collusion with an international drug trafficker; if the gardaí involved remain serving gardaí; if the terms of reference of Mr. Justice Cooke's paper review will allow for any consideration of possible involvement of those gardaí in any authorised or unauthorised covert surveillance of GSOC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9780/14]

Garda Confidential Recipient

Mick Wallace

31. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the decision to relieve the confidential recipient of his duties was connected to the recent release of a transcript of a conversation between the confidential recipient and the whistleblower; the immediate arrangements he has made to provide an official avenue for whistleblowing in advance of any proposed legislative changes; if he will make a statement setting out his position on the content of the transcript; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9717/14]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission

Mick Wallace

37. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that he has formally requested both the Garda Commissioner and the Lieutenant General of the Defence Forces to make detailed inquiries into whether any authorised surveillance or interception of GSOC was ordered under either the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993 or any part of the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 or unauthorised surveillance of GSOC has been conducted to include rogue elements of either organisation; if and on what dates he received satisfactory assurances in response to those formal requests; if this correspondence has been passed to Mr. Justice Cooke for his consideration; and if he will consider reform of the oversight of surveillance mechanisms in the State. [9720/14]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission

Mick Wallace

39. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the terms of reference for the GSOC paper review do not request inquiries to be conducted to identify the source of the covert surveillance and do not allow for consideration of the role of the Garda Commissioner, rogue or retired gardaí, the Minister or the G2 intelligence branch of the Defence Forces; and the reason he chose to order a paper review with no statutory basis to be completed by a judge who has not been granted judicial powers. [9719/14]

Garda Investigations

Mick Wallace

41. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason he chose a review of the cold case file into the murder of Fr. Niall Molloy by a senior counsel, rather than an independent public inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9718/14]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission

Mick Wallace

176. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason Mr. Justice Cooke has not been granted judicial powers of compellability with regard to witnesses and the production and preservation of evidence and physical powers of entry and inspection; the reason terms of reference for the GSOC paper review do not request inquiries to be conducted to identify the source of any covert surveillance and do not allow for consideration of the role if any of the Garda Commissioner, rogue or retired gardaí, the Minister or the G2 intelligence branch of the Defence Forces; the reason he chose to order a paper review with no statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9750/14]

Refugee Status Application Numbers

Mick Wallace

161. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will set out in tabular form the annual figures for ministerial decisions made to revoke refugee status since 2005, alongside the annual figures for successful appeals of those decisions since 2005; if he will set out categories showing his reasons for those decisions since 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9747/14]

Ministerial Correspondence

Mick Wallace

162. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action he has taken in view of the publication of the second periodic report of the Holy See on the Rights of the Child; if he will set out the details of any correspondence he has had with the four relevant religious orders regarding financial contributions and the reports urging an internal investigation into the conduct of religious personnel working in the Magdalen laundries; if he will ensure that all those responsible for the offences be sanctioned and reported to national judicial authorities for prosecution purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9748/14]

Penalty Points System Investigation

Mick Wallace

3. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the precise circumstances which led him to request the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to commence an investigation under section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005; the reason he did not choose to initiate a wider investigation, under section 106, of policies, practices and procedures; the reason he considered the matter to have become one of public interest; if he consulted with the Garda Commissioner when choosing the relevant legislative provision under which the investigation would be conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5582/14]

Penalty Points System Investigation

Mick Wallace

11. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the person that undertook the internal audits of fixed charge notice cancellations in November and December 2013; the method used to carry out these audits; if he will commit to publishing all internal audits of fixed charge notice cancellations on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5350/14]

Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest

Mick Wallace

13. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the experiences of the Garda whistleblowers, if he is satisfied with the manner in which the position of the confidential recipient is operating; if he has any plans to review the workings of this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5349/14]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Remit

Mick Wallace

26. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider establishing a Garda Síochána independent board with monitoring, supervisory and oversight functions over An Garda Síochána in order to strengthen the democratic accountability of the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5351/14]

Sexual Offences Data

Mick Wallace

29. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether there are sufficient protections in place for children who are the victims of sexual abuse when a solicitor suppresses information in his or her possession in relation to that abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5352/14]

Garda Operations

Mick Wallace

38. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether a report should be produced to provide information on the terminated offences that have no information placed in the mandatory comment box, as recommended by the Garda professional standards unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5353/14]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations

Mick Wallace

68. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will reconsider the refusal of his predecessors to order a wider investigation under section 106 of An Garda Síochána Act into the general practices, policies and procedures of An Garda Síochána in relation to Corrib Gas, in view of the recent serious allegations regarding the delivery of alcohol to gardaí; if he has concerns regarding the long history and high incidence of complaints to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52900/13]

Traveller Culture

Mick Wallace

74. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the fact that the recognition of Traveller ethnicity has been repeatedly called for by the UN in order for Ireland to comply with its obligations under the ICCPR, when and how he intends to recognise Traveller ethnicity; the official steps or progression his Department has made over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52666/13]

Garda Reports

Mick Wallace

79. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress of the separate investigation recommended at page 50 of the Garda professional services unit report regarding the widespread non-use of the mandatory comment box by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52664/13]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Reports

Mick Wallace

80. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied with the official response, action and protocol introduced by the Garda Commissioner in respect of the section 80(5) report of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52665/13]

Ombudsman for Children Investigations

Mick Wallace

86. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will provide the Ombudsman for Children with powers under section 42 of the Garda Síochána Act, as amended, to allow her to commence her independent investigation into actions by An Garda Síochána in the Roma children controversy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52663/13]

Legal Services Regulation

Mick Wallace

96. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of recent high profile cases regarding legal malpractice, if he is satisfied that there are sufficient safeguards and protocols in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52667/13]

Penalty Points System

Mick Wallace

77. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will publish the new fixed charge processing manual as recommended by the GPSU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46595/13]

Garda Communications

Mick Wallace

95. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action he will take to deal with the systemic leaking of information by An Garda Síochána to the mainstream media, which is a criminal offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46594/13]

Penalty Points System

Mick Wallace

5. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has implemented in full, in the identified timeframe of three months, the recommendations of the Garda Síochána Professional Standards Unit into the cancellation of penalty points; if not, the reason for same; when he will publish the review he asked the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to carry out on the GSPSU report; and if he will publish the response he has received from the Garda Ombudsman to whom he forwarded both reports into the penalty points controversy for review. [40058/13]

Prison Accommodation Standard

Mick Wallace

47. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he intends to complete the in-cell sanitation in Portlaoise Prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39812/13]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Issues

Mick Wallace

54. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider strengthening the powers of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, in order to increase their capacity to hold An Garda Síochána to account. [39813/13]

Asylum Support Services

Mick Wallace

534. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the recent comments by the Ombudsman on the treatment of asylum seekers; his plan to address her concerns; if, in view of the events at the asylum accommodation centre in Millstreet, County Cork, he will order an investigation into the system of direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36247/13]

Criminal Law Review

Mick Wallace

535. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the recent report by the Oireachtas Committee on Justice which recommends the criminalisation of the purchase of sexual service; if he plans to take any action in relation to the report's recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36248/13]

Magdalen Laundries

Mick Wallace

3. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to set up an independent inquiry body to investigate all complaints of abuse in relation to the Magdalen laundries, as recommended by the United Nations Committee against Torture and re-emphasised by UNCAT vice-chairperson (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28436/13]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Remit

Mick Wallace

19. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his response to the recommendation made by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, following her mission to Ireland in November 2012 that section 106, part 4 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 should be repealed in order to ensure the full independence of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission; if he has considered establishing an independent police authority; if he has considered any reforms of the structures and formality surrounding the relationship between his office and the Office of the Garda Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28218/13]

Domestic Violence Policy

Mick Wallace

48. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will sign the European convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence; the reasons he has not signed the convention to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28217/13]

Prison Committals

Mick Wallace

180. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the fact that, as of March 2013, three prisoners aged 17 years were on protection in St. Patrick's Institution, Dublin, two of whom are locked up for 23 hours per day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21821/13]