Written Answers Nos. 132-143
132. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will engage with the Garda Commissioner to devise a protocol for dealing with reports of illegal burning (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23965/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset I must point out that my colleague the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has policy and legislative responsibility in this area. I am advised by her that the burning of vegetation on uncultivated land is prohibited without exception from 1 March to 31 August under section 40 of the Wildlife Acts, and that Authorised Officers in relation to the prosecution of breaches of the Wildlife Acts include members of An Garda Síochána.
In these circumstances, I do not have a direct role in relation to the development of protocols along the lines referred to by the Deputy. I have, however, brought the specific issues raised by the Deputy to the attention of the Garda authorities and the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
I am further advised that the Garda investigation into the recent fires is continuing and therefore the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate to make any further comment on these incidents. However, I would urge anyone with any information, no matter how trivial it may seem, to pass this information on to the Gardaí or to the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
I also understand that, last year, stakeholders had an opportunity to input their views on the operation of the section 40 of the Wildlife Acts as part of a consultation process initiated by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and that the formulation of future proposals is currently under consideration by a Working Group in the Minister's Department.
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23970/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned has applied for a right of residency in the State, accompanied by a right to work, based on his parentage of an Irish citizen child. The application was received in the Residence Division on the 3 October, 2014 and is under consideration at present.
134. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the historical case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23973/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe particular case to which the Deputy refers is amongst those being considered under 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, or other public representatives with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may be required in each case. A panel consisting of two Senior and five Junior Counsel was established for the purpose, all selected on the basis of their experience of the criminal justice system.
The first batch of draft submissions and letters of notification of the outcome of the review have been submitted to me for consideration. I believe that it would be in the best interests of all concerned that an independent element should now be brought into this part of the process. I have decided to appoint a former judicial figure to oversee the preparation of these summaries. That person will be able to independently vouch for the fact that the summaries of conclusions and the reasoning behind them are a fair reflection of the advice which has been made available to the Department.
Retired High Court Judge Mr Justice Roderick Murphy has agreed to undertake this task. I believe that Mr Justice Murphy's involvement in the process will offer additional reassurance to those whose cases were considered by the Panel. I believe it is better to take that time now so as to provide complete reassurance on the probity and independence of this entire process, from start to finish.
Following the review of the complaint by counsel in this particular case a recommendation will be made to my Department and the outcome will be notified to the person concerned as soon as possible.
135. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a comprehensive update, including an estimated timeframe and cost, on plans for a new courthouse in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24002/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that while they plan to develop a new courthouse in Galway city there is not sufficient space on the current site to allow for the extension of the building. The Courts Service is currently working with the Office of Public Works in searching for a suitable alternative site.
I am also informed the Courts Service purchased a site in Tuam, Co. Galway, a number of years ago for the construction of a new courthouse. I am informed that the plans for a new courthouse will be based on incorporating the existing building on site. The Courts Service cannot at present provide details of the time-frame or cost of the project, however I am assured that the matter will be kept under review, having regard to available resources.
136. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there will be an opportunity to make submissions to her on the recommendations put forward by the working group to report to Government on improvements to the protection process, including direct provision and supports to asylum seekers and the direct provision system, before the recommendations are considered by her and brought before the Cabinet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24105/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra137. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the report of the working group to report to the Government on improvements to the protection process, including direct provision and supports to asylum seekers, will be published before it is debated in Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24106/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.
I understand that the Report of the Independent Working Group on the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and supports to asylum seekers will be submitted to me shortly following which I will present it to Government for approval to be published. Should the Government approve the publication of the Report it will be open to any interested parties to comment on the Report and its recommendations.
138. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will confirm, in respect of the panels that were established for the Garda Síochána recruitment campaigns, that all of the candidates in band 1 have now been called and that band 2 candidates will now be called in the next round of recruitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24109/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra146. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current position of bands 1, 2 and 3 that were formed in the Garda Síochána recruitment process; in view of the fact the candidates who have already been chosen for recruitment have come from band 1; when it is envisaged that the candidates in band 2 will be informed that they will progress to band 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24200/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 146 together.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is managing the recruitment process for the Garda Commissioner and I have no direct involvement in the matter. I understand however that PAS is continuing to progress Band 1 through the selection process and interviewing for that group will conclude in August. The names of candidates who qualify through these initial rounds will be forwarded to the Garda Commissioner for further consideration.
Depending on the Commissioner’s recruitment requirements, PAS will revisit those in Band 2 and Band 3, if necessary.
139. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her assessment regarding the problem of drug taking in Dublin city centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24129/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra140. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the powers that An Garda Síochána has when dealing with persons openly taking drugs on the streets of Dublin city centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24130/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update regarding Operation Spire and its success in tackling drug taking on the streets of Dublin city centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24131/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures she is considering to address the problem of drug taking on the streets of Dublin city centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24132/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra143. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide details of the discussions she has held with other Departments regarding the need for a strategy to be developed to address the problem of drug taking and anti-social behaviour on Dublin city centre streets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24133/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 to 143, inclusive, together.
I am of course aware of the issues raised in the media reports referred to by the Deputy and I am sure the Deputy would concur that the issues involved are not simply policing ones.
In relation to specific Garda responses I can assure the Deputy that I am in ongoing contact with the Garda Commissioner in relation to the measures which are being taken to deal with crime and public safety in the city centre area. I am advised that Gardaí make full use of the extensive range of legislation which is in place to address street crime and anti-social behaviour, including drug related crime.
The Garda response to the particular issues raised forms part of the overall and ongoing implementation of the Dublin City Centre Policing Plan. This involves a high-visibility uniformed presence on key thoroughfares, as well as the use of undercover Gardaí as appropriate. A range of measures are in place to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the city centre. These include Operation Spire, which provides for a high visibility policing presence specifically on O’Connell Street at critical times to address anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and related crime. The operation is designed as a preventative measure and the area is patrolled by uniform patrols supplemented as required by Crime Prevention Unit and Divisional Crime Task Force personnel. Garda strategy is also supported by other operations including Operation Pier which focuses on the Pearse Street District, as well as Operation Viking and Operation Clean Streets which further target the sale and supply of illicit drugs in the city centre.
I think it is generally accepted that the complex issues which contribute to drug addiction and related behaviours must be addressed in a coordinated and cross-cutting manner. In response to the particular issues arising in Dublin City Centre a multi-agency street outreach approach is being used to work with vulnerable and high-risk individuals and an offender management programme is being piloted to address repeat offending in the Dublin City area. These measures, combined with the Government's initiatives to tackle homelessness, are helping to address the broader aspects of the problems referred to by the Deputy.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government's overall response to the problem of drug misuse generally, is set out in the National Drugs Strategy for the period 2009-2016. The Strategy provides a coordinated and comprehensive response founded on a partnership approach.
The Strategy is being delivered under the stewardship of my colleague, Minister of State Ó Ríordáin at the Department of Health, in his capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy. The Strategy, the implementation of which is monitored by the Oversight Forum on Drugs Group chaired by Minister of State Ó Ríordáin, adopts a pillar based approach to the problem involving the implementation of a wide range of measures across the five pillars of drug supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. The Group includes representatives from the key Departments and agencies involved in the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy.
My Department and its agencies continue to progress the actions assigned to the criminal justice sector under the National Strategy and to actively participate in all of the structures in place under the Strategy.
