Written Answers Nos. 332-343
332. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the delay in processing an application for Garda vetting in respect of a person (details supplied); and when they may expect a decision on their case. [40174/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that no vetting application has been received in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers. In the circumstances, I can only suggest that the person contacts the registered organisation involved.
333. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an exact timeframe for a naturalisation application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40183/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, as well as being a significant event in the life of its recipient, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation as provided for in law is also a major step for the State which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process. All applications are processed with a view to establishing whether the applicants meet the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence, and are submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. As the processing requirements and time taken to complete necessary checks vary from case to case, it is not possible to provide a specific date for determination of an individual application.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically 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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
334. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has had recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice in relation to the threat posed by some groups, commonly referred to as dissidents; if she will ensure that adequate resourcing is provided to deal with any threats emanating from such criminal groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40242/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI meet frequently and have ongoing discussions with Northern Ireland's Minister of Justice, David Ford, on the broad range of issues relating to North-South police and criminal justice co-operation, including the threat to security that is posed by the paramilitary groups on this island. The security situation is also the focus of my meetings with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers.
The threat from these groups is real and persistent. It is a matter of shared concern North and South and there is a common resolve to continue to take all necessary actions within the law to bear down on these groups. I can assure the Deputy that countering the paramilitary threat has always been a priority for the Government and the Garda Síochána and nothing has changed in that regard.
Operational security co-operation is the key to putting these groups out of business and the Garda authorities work very closely and successfully with their counterparts in Northern Ireland in actively bearing down on these groups and on the organised criminal gangs with which the paramilitaries are inextricably linked. Indeed, they are deeply involved in serious crime in order to fund their activities and their lifestyles. The Deputy will know that the Gardaí and the PSNI have mounted a number of successful co-operative Border operations to disrupt paramilitary activities.
I am strongly committed to ensuring that the Gardaí have the necessary resources they need to bear down on these groups not just in terms of personnel and equipment, but also in terms of the legislative provisions available. I have secured an increase in the Garda funding for 2015 which will facilitate increased recruitment to the force and additional Garda equipment. In this regard the Deputy will also be aware that I recently published the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2014 to further strengthen the State's body of counter terrorism law.
335. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has received complaints about the length of time it is taking the independent review mechanism, established to review complaints about the justice system, to examine matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40246/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra336. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the independent review mechanism is responding to queries from those whose complaints are being investigated before it writes its full report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40247/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when she expects the independent review mechanism to conclude its investigations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40248/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 335 to 337, inclusive, together.
The Deputy is referring to the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach, with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may be required in each case. This was one of the actions agreed by Government as a response to the Guerin report.
The independent review is now underway, and is currently examining a large range of cases referred to them. While some complainants will understandably wish to see the review completed as soon as possible, it is important that nothing arises which might detract from the integrity of the review mechanism. It is therefore considered inappropriate to place a time constraint upon the working of the panel, although they intend to conclude their work as soon as is reasonably practicable.
While the review does not involve interviews or interaction with complainants or any other form of investigation, counsel may recommend that I seek further information from complainants, or from any other relevant bodies, to assist in coming to an appropriate recommendation in any particular case.
338. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the new Garda divisional headquarters for County Galway being announced, if she will reconfirm the commitment given that a Garda station (details supplied) in County Galway will be retained as a district headquarters and another Garda station in County Galway will be retained as a city centre station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40262/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of her annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the allocation of Garda resources, including accommodation and personnel, is subject to ongoing analysis and review to ensure that the best use is made of available resources. I am further informed that, in the context of the provision of a new Regional Garda Headquarters at Murrough, the policing requirements of the Galway Division will be fully examined to ensure that an effective and efficient policing service continues to be delivered.
339. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the protracted nature of the process for determining eligibility for a visitor visa if she will give consideration to a process of fast tracking second and subsequent visa applications for elderly relatives of persons legally resident here who have previously been approved for visas and who have complied with the terms of those visas; the most appropriate visa type that a person (details provided) should apply for in view of the fact that they were previously approved and complied with a holiday visa entry requirement and who wish to make a number of visits here to visit their children and grandchildren over the coming months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40273/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it is the policy to issue Multiple Journey visas to persons who have an established compliant travel history in the recent past. In practice, for a short-stay visit visa, if a visitor has been granted two previous Irish visas and has observed the conditions of those visas (e.g. they did not overstay or work illegally) they may apply for a Multiple Journey visa. The purpose of a Multiple Journey visa is to allow a person to travel to Ireland on a number occasions, during the dates shown on the visa, for short trips only.
The majority of short-stay visit visa applications are processed with five working days of receipt of the required documentation. Some applications may take longer to assess depending on the particular circumstances of the case. The issuance of a visa, including whether to grant a Multiple Journey visa, is at the discretion of the Visa Officer.
In addition to the general practice above, there are certain circumstances where a multiple entry visa may be issued to applicants with no previous travel history to Ireland. For example, a person can apply for a Multiple Journey visa if:
- they need to travel regularly to Ireland on short visits for business meetings.
- while in Ireland on business they need to travel to another country, returning to Ireland for further meetings, for onward travel.
- they are travelling to and from another country, via Ireland.
In relation to the specific individuals referred to by the Deputy, I have been advised by INIS that one of the relatives of the person legally resident in Ireland made one previous visit to Ireland in 2012 and there is no record of a visa application having been made or a visa granted in respect of the other named relative.
340. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposal to provide a new Garda district headquarters in an area (details supplied) in County Cavan; if provision is made in the estimates for her Department or An Garda Síochána to bring this project to construction in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40280/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on requirements which are established by An Garda Síochána. The programme is advanced in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that options for the provision of a new Garda District Headquarters at the location referred to by the Deputy are currently being examined by the Office of Public Works. The provision of a new District Headquarters will be progressed in the context of An Garda Síochána's identified accommodation priorities and in the light of available resources within the Vote of the Office of Public Works.
341. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 3 December 2013, if she will provide an update on the cash for gold regulations. [40297/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you may be aware my Department published a report in June 2012 on the criminal justice aspects of the cash for gold trade; this Report is available on my Department's website www.justice.ie. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence were asked to consider the content of that report, obtain the views of all relevant interested parties and make such report/recommendations as the Committee deemed proportionate and appropriate in the public interest to the Houses of the Oireachtas and to Government. The Committee provided their observations to my predecessor in May 2013. The Committee's response made a number of suggestions to be considered in addressing this issue; it also noted that the advent of specific 'Cash for Gold' businesses was a relatively new phenomenon and that drafting legislation to regulate this sector would be complex.
The current position is that my Department has considered the views expressed by the Joint Oireachtas Committee and is currently drafting a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) which will comprise a detailed and systematic appraisal of the potential impacts of any proposed regulation in order to assess whether the regulation is likely to achieve the desired objectives and the potential costs that will arise. It is my intention to publish this RIA for consultation, once completed.
342. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extra costs incurred by the Garda at Shannon airport on 12 October 2014 for the one-hour peaceful peace vigil at Shannon, including the provision of the Garda air support unit helicopter which had to be deployed from Casement Aerodrome, County Dublin; and the reason this use of the Garda helicopter was considered necessary, in view of the fact that these monthly peace vigils have been taking place for over six years without any security related incidents, while virtually no extra security is provided at Shannon airport for the other 461 hours in each month, in spite of the increasing possibility of a retaliatory extremist attack on Shannon airport due to US military use of Shannon airport while the US is carrying out air attacks against Islamist forces in Iraq and Syria. [40300/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that An Garda Síochána records information on overall policing costs. Specific financial information relating to the policing of the one hour vigil at Shannon Airport on the 12th October 2014 is not available.
However, I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the cost to An Garda Síochána of security for Shannon airport was €862,574 in 2012 and €758,152 in 2013. This comprises salaries and other pay and non-pay related expenditure.
The use of the Garda Helicopter is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána.
343. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the mediation Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40348/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy intention is to publish the Mediation Bill early in the next session and thereafter to proceed quickly with enactment of the legislation. The Bill will contain provisions designed to promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings, thereby reducing legal costs for the parties, speeding up the resolution of disputes, including disputes between neighbouring land owners, and relieving the stress involved in court proceedings.
