Gerry Adams
Ceist:183. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the work ongoing in his Department relating to the White Paper on the Future of Europe. [46927/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhite Paper on the Future of Europe
Ceisteanna (183)
Freagraí scríofa
Following the UK vote to leave the EU a debate on the Future of Europe was launched by EU Heads of State and Government in Bratislava in September 2016. The European Commission subsequently published a White Paper on the Future of Europe, and followed up with a series of reflection papers covering a number of key issues including European Defence, EMU and Globalisation. The main thrust of the White Paper is an attempt to look at some of the options or different paths that the EU could take over the next decade. The options are by no means exhaustive, nor are they mutually exclusive. We have welcomed the White Paper and the Reflection Papers as important contributions to the evolving debate on the Future of Europe. These papers are for the most part cross-cutting in nature and are being examined across a number of Government Departments. At last month’s European Council President Donald Tusk formally launched his Leaders’ Agenda. He is proposing an ambitious work programme for the next two years. His intention is to maintain unity among the 27 by facilitating a more dynamic process – restoring ownership to the European Council and seeking to find pragmatic ways forward. President Tusk’s approach should ensure an inclusive way forward, building on the Bratislava Process. We strongly support President Tusk’s positive forward-looking agenda, focused on some of the key challenges facing Europe and its citizens. On Friday, the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D., and his counterparts will have a discussion at a summit in Sweden on education and culture as part of the Leaders’ Agenda.
Tomorrow the Taoiseach and I, together with the Minister for European Affairs, will formally launch the Citizens’ Dialogue on the Future of Europe at the Science Gallery in Trinity College Dublin. This will mark the formal start of a process designed to engage the Irish public directly in a debate on the kind of Europe they want to see evolve. Our aim is to raise awareness of the issues involved; to encourage participation in the debate; and to use this engagement process to formulate Ireland’s contribution to the wider European debate.
In taking forward this debate, our focus will be on delivering a positive EU agenda with concrete outcomes that directly benefit Irish and EU citizens.
European Court of Human Rights Judgments
Ceisteanna (184)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:184. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed a case (details supplied) with his British counterpart at their meetings. [47828/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On 2 December 2014, the Government announced its decision to request the European Court of Human Rights to revise its 1978 judgment in the case taken by Ireland against the UK. The request was filed with the Court on 4 December 2014. On the basis of new material uncovered, the Government has contended that the ill-treatment suffered by the victims should be recognised as torture. The Government’s request currently remains under consideration by the European Court of Human Rights. In March 2016, the UK were invited to submit observations on a number of questions posed by the Court (publicly accessible via the website of the European Court of Human Rights). At the request of the UK, the deadline for submission of their observations was extended by the Court from time to time up to December 2016. In February 2017, the Government submitted its reply to the UK observations on the application. The Government is now awaiting notice from the Court as to how it wishes to proceed in considering the case. The Government’s application therefore remains active with the European Court of Human Rights, and given this context, the case is not one that I have discussed directly with my British counterparts.
In a separate process, the Belfast High Court on 27 October last, further to a judicial review application by some of the victims in the case, quashed a 2014 PSNI decision not to take further steps to investigate the question of identifying and, if appropriate, prosecuting those responsible for criminal acts during the interrogation of the victims. The Court finding means that the question should be revisited. My Department is continuing to monitor these developments.
My Department has also remained in contact with the legal representatives of the survivors and their families in this case since the Government’s request to the European Court of Human Rights in December 2014 and has kept them updated on the status of the case. As the case in Strasbourg progresses, my Department will maintain these contacts so that those directly affected remain informed of progress with the Government’s application.
National Emergency Plan
Ceisteanna (185)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:185. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the way in which his Department responded to the declaration of the status red alert weather warning in respect of departmental employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47929/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The offices of my Department in Ireland, including Passport Offices, remained closed on 16 October and staff were advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary. My Department provided a consular and passport duty officer service to the public for matters requiring urgent attention on that day. Staff and members of the public were informed via social media channels and the Department’s website, as well as in a number of cases by telephone and text messages.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (186)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:186. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline his views on the assertion by an organisation (details supplied) that European governments are feeding the business of suffering in Libya; the actions being taken by Ireland in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48061/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The situation in Libya remains very worrying, with instability and ongoing conflict making life extremely difficult for ordinary Libyans as well as for migrants. I am aware of credible reports on the terrible conditions faced by many migrants and refugees in Libya, including those set out by the organisation referenced by the Deputy. I strongly condemn all human rights violations and abuses.
Through the EU, Ireland and other EU governments are working to relieve the suffering of both Libyan citizens and migrants. At the June 2017 Foreign Affairs Council, Ireland expressed deep concern at the conditions in detention centres. Following this, EU Foreign Ministers adopted Council Conclusions in July, which urge the Libyan authorities to improve humanitarian access to and conditions in detention centres, as well as to look for alternatives to detention. At the European Council on 19 October, the Taoiseach highlighted concerns about the conditions experienced by migrants in Libya.
The security situation in Libya is fragile, which limits the capacity of the international community, including the EU, to ensure accountability in response to reports of abuses. Bringing about a step-change in the situation of migrants in Libya will require restoration of political stability, through the formation of a functioning government and a return to order throughout the country. Ireland both supports UN mediation and regional efforts in pursuit of stabilisation in Libya.
The EU has a number of initiatives which provide assistance and protection to migrants, refugees and host communities in Libya. The EU also provides training (including in international humanitarian law, human rights and gender issues) and other support to enhance the border management capacity of the Libyan authorities. In addition, the EU supports the work of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), to ensure that there are adequate reception facilities for migrants. The EU has mobilised €182 million on migration-related projects for Libya, which are being implemented by a number of partners, including international agencies such as the UNHCR and UNICEF.
The only long-term solution to the migration crisis is to improve conditions in countries of transit and origin. The fight to reduce poverty in countries of origin, which is one of the main drivers of large irregular migratory flows, remains firmly at the core of Ireland’s aid programme. At the European Council in October, the Taoiseach highlighted the need to address the root causes of migration, and announced that the Government will double Ireland’s contribution to the EU Trust Fund for Africa to €6 million.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (187)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:187. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline his views on the rising tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48062/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran are a matter of deep concern, especially given the potential for this to impact more broadly on the region. I call on all concerned to work to de-escalate tensions, and to resolve disagreements peacefully. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia are significant players in the Middle East region, a region where leadership in promoting peace is very much needed. This is a richly diverse region, where many peoples and religions have long histories, and where communities have shown that peaceful co-existence is possible among peoples who have different religions, languages and cultures. However, after more than six years of war in Syria, over two years of war in Yemen, and the struggle to defeat Da’esh in Iraq as well as Syria, the toll of conflict on civilians in this region has been devastating. The long-running nature of these conflicts show the pitfalls of seeking to resolve differences by military means exclusively. At the Foreign Affairs Council in October 2017, the EU reiterated that it stands ready to actively promote and support initiatives to ensure a more stable, peaceful and secure regional environment. The Iran nuclear deal has shown the way forward, pointing to how patient diplomacy can defuse tensions, and produce win-win solutions.
It is in the best interests of the people of the region that neighbouring countries find a way to de-escalate tensions, to resolve differences peacefully, and to build positive cooperation. In the most recent meetings between my officials and the Embassies in Ireland of both Iran and Saudi Arabia, Ireland’s concerns about regional tensions were raised, and my officials stressed the importance of peaceful resolution of all disputes.
Middle East Issues
Ceisteanna (188)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:188. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the position regarding efforts at EU and international level to bring about a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48063/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland, along with our EU partners, supports the achievement of a two state solution to the Middle East conflict. This support includes political efforts to encourage a resumption of direct negotiations, which are ultimately the only way to achieve peace. It also includes action on the ground on human rights and justice issues affecting Palestinians under occupation, including settlement activity, which are progressively endangering the prospects of such a peace agreement. The initiative led by France, which culminated at the Paris Conference in January this year, and which the Government fully supported, restated international support for the two state solution but was unable to achieve international agreement on how to revive the political process to reach that objective.
In recent months the new United States administration has been actively exploring the possibilities for re-launching the process to reach a comprehensive peace agreement. This engagement is very welcome, and I have met myself with the US team to encourage their work and to underline to them the key parameters for an agreement which the EU has long espoused. In recent discussions with my EU colleagues, I have urged that the EU must both strongly support the US initiative, but also continue our own work on the ground to help preserve and create the political and physical space in which the two state solution can be achieved. I am actively exploring with EU colleagues how this can best be done.
Brexit Issues
Ceisteanna (189)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:189. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline his views on his statement that a five-year transition period is required for Brexit; the reason five years was chosen as the appropriate limit; his further views on whether research has been conducted on the necessary period required for transition; if so, if he will publish this research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48077/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The European Council Guidelines of 29 April 2017 foresee that parallel discussions on the framework for a future EU-UK relationship, including possible transitional arrangements, will get under way as soon as sufficient progress has been made on the EU’s key priorities in the withdrawal process – notably citizens’ rights, the UK’s financial settlement and the Irish specific issues. At its meeting on 20 October, the European Council welcomed the progress made to date but agreed that further work is needed before it can agree that sufficient progress has been made on all three exit issues. In this regard, I note that a further round of negotiations took place on 9-10 November. The European Council also agreed to begin internal preparations among the EU27 on the EU’s priorities for the framework for the EU-UK future relationship and transitional arrangements. The aim of such discussions will be to ensure that the EU is prepared to begin these discussions with the UK as soon as a decision has been made to move into phase 2.
During these discussions among the EU27, Ireland will continue to advance its long-held position that transitional arrangements will be a vital part of the Brexit process, so as to provide certainty and continuity to citizens and businesses. Our position on this matter and the reasoning behind it was set out clearly in the Government’s comprehensive document on Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, which was published on 2 May.
The possible duration of transitional arrangements is one of the issues for consideration and future negotiation. There is for now a general view, on both sides, that any transitional arrangement should be time-bound and cannot be open-ended. At the same time, I believe that the transition should be as long as necessary to ensure a smooth landing into a future relationship agreement. How legally and practically that might be achieved would be for discussion.
While I believe that both the EU and the UK must be ambitious in seeking to conclude a future relationship agreement as soon as possible after the UK leaves the EU, I have expressed the personal view that, given the complexities involved, including the need for ratification of such an agreement, this could take as long as five years. I would note that others, such as the former UK Representative to the European Union, Sir Ivan Rogers, have expressed similar opinions. Of course I hope that less time will be needed.
The most immediate focus remains on achieving sufficient progress on the three exit issues, including on the Irish specific issues. I am hopeful that progress can be made in the negotiations in the coming weeks so that a decision can be taken by the European Council in December that discussions with the UK on future relationship issues, including on transitional arrangements, can begin.
Brexit Negotiations
Ceisteanna (190)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:190. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update from his perspective on the latest developments on Brexit talks and the reason for optimism following the October EU Council meeting. [48167/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At its meeting on 20 October, the European Council welcomed the progress made in the EU-UK negotiations to date but agreed that further work is needed before it can agree that sufficient progress has be made on all of the exit issues - citizens’ rights, the UK’s financial settlement and the issues unique to Ireland – to enable discussions on the framework for a future EU-UK relationship and transitional arrangements to begin.
While it had been hoped that the UK’s position would be more advanced, the European Council outcome was not unexpected. It was clear well in advance that it would not be possible for the EU’s Chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, to recommend that sufficient progress has been made. I welcome the call by the European Council for work in the negotiations to continue, and its commitment to reassess progress at its next meeting in December. The EU has been clear on what is expected from the UK in phase 1 and now is the time for the UK to make the necessary commitments across all three exit issues.
Importantly, the European Council also agreed to begin internal preparatory discussions on priorities for the future framework for the EU-UK future relationship, and for transitional arrangements. The aim of such discussions, which began at official level last week, is to ensure that the EU is ready to begin phase 2 negotiations with the UK as soon has sufficient progress has been recorded. This should be seen not just as prudent preparation but as a signal of goodwill.
There was some progress on citizens’ rights during the negotiating round of 9/10 November. More work needs to be done but we note the Task Force’s view that the UK has provided useful clarifications that are a good basis for further work. There is however significantly more work to be done on the issue of the financial settlement, where more detail is needed from the UK as to how it will honour its commitments, as promised by the Prime Minister in her Florence speech in September.
On the Irish specific issues, the support of our EU partners for finding solutions to the unique challenges facing the island of Ireland has been strong and consistent throughout this process. The basis of the EU’s position remains as set out in the European Council Guidelines of 29 April and the Task Force’s Guiding Principles paper of 7 September. The EU’s approach to this week’s round of negotiations has not departed from this, but has built upon it.
Overall, more needs to be done before the December European Council. We do not underestimate the challenges ahead but the Government remains hopeful that, with hard work and political will, sufficient progress can be made in the intervening period. I believe that this is the shared view of all EU-27 Member States and I also believe, based on my own discussions and on reports from our Missions, that the British Government is increasingly aware of the steps it needs to take.
Naturalisation Applications
Ceisteanna (191)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:191. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline his plans to introduce a reduction for those on low income, social welfare or senior citizens regarding the fixed fee when applying for naturalisation; his further plans to abolish the penalty that applies at present to those that are not in a position to pay the fixed rate within a set period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48160/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee, stipulated at €175, is payable on application for a certificate of naturalisation and a certification fee is payable on the issue of a certificate of naturalisation. The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons the certification fee is nil.
There is no provision in the Regulations for the discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or for differing fees to apply to different nationalities or classes of applicant. All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended are kept under ongoing review by my Department; however, there are no plans to amend the fees. If an applicant is unable to pay the certification fee within the required timeframe they should contact the Citizenship Division at citizenshipinfo@justice.ie in order to seek an extension of the deadline.
The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation. The Deputy will be aware that formal citizenship ceremonies have been introduced at no extra cost to applicants. These have been universally well received by participants as the ceremonies provide a sense of dignity and occasion that serves to underscore the importance to both the State and the applicant of the granting of Irish citizenship.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, as well as the relevant application forms, is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie.
Asylum Support Services
Ceisteanna (192)
Clare Daly
Ceist:192. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline his plans to ensure that no restrictions are placed on the type of work that asylum seekers can engage in while waiting for their asylum claims to be processed. [47627/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Supreme Court judgment in the case of N.V.H. v. The Minister for Justice and Equality found, on 30 May last, that in an international protection system with no temporal limits as to when the application process will be concluded, an absolute prohibition on the right to work for international protection applicants is contrary to the right to seek employment under the Constitution. The Court recognises that this is a matter for the Executive and Legislature to consider and accordingly has adjourned consideration of the Order the Court should make for a period of six months.
Following the approval of Government, I established an Inter-Departmental Taskforce to examine the wide-ranging implications of the judgment, and to consider appropriate solutions. The Taskforce is also examining the legal options available to the State to give effect to the judgment.
The Government is due to consider the report of the Taskforce shortly in preparation for the State's response to the Court judgment. In the circumstances, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further in advance of the Government's deliberations on the matter.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (193)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:193. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be ratified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47639/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007 and since then, successive Governments have emphasised Ireland’s strong commitment to proceed to ratification as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are met. This Government remains committed to ratification of the Convention.
It is essential that the State is in a position to meet the obligations that it assumes under the terms of an international agreement from the moment of its entry into force for Ireland. Before the State can ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities enactment of new legislation and amendment of existing legislation is required to ensure obligations will be met upon entry into force for Ireland. Ratification of a Convention before we have amended domestic legislation that contradicts it makes no sense and does nothing to ensure compliance or to protect the people for whose benefit the Convention exists. The previous Government published a Roadmap in October 2015, which sets out the legislative measures needed to meet those requirements, along with declarations and reservations to be entered by Ireland on ratification.
Considerable progress has already been made to overcome the remaining legislative barriers to Ireland's ratification of the Convention. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was signed into law on 30 December 2015 and is a comprehensive reform of the law on decision-making capacity. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 has reformed Section 5 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 to facilitate the full participation in family life of persons with intellectual disabilities and the full expression of their human rights.
The Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 was published immediately prior to Christmas and completed Second Stage in February 2017. The primary purpose of the Bill is to address the remaining legislative barriers to Ireland’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Work is ongoing on all the other issues set out in the previous Government’s Roadmap for Ratification published in October 2015 and these will be progressed as Committee Stage amendments. The Bill will be progressed to enactment at an early date to facilitate ratification of the UN Convention as soon as possible.
The precise timing of ratification now depends on how long it will take for this Bill to progress through the enactment process and on issues in relation to commencement both of deprivation of liberty provisions, which will be included in the Bill at Committee Stage, and of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015.
I would like to take this opportunity to assure the Deputy that ratification of the UNCRPD remains a very high priority for me as Minister.
Legal Services Regulation
Ceisteanna (194)
Clare Daly
Ceist:194. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the revenue-raising functions of section 95 of the Legal Services Regulatory Act 2015 have been implemented; and his views on same. [47650/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 95 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 is one of a series of sections in Part 7 of that Act which provide for the raising of a levy to be paid by the Law Society, the Bar Council and other practising barristers. In each given year, the levy will be calculated, under the Act, by reference to the Authority's actual expenditure of the previous year with due regard also to the actual number and costs of complaints received in respect of the legal professions and the costs of running the new Legal Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal during that period. Such costs will be apportioned for annual levy purposes as appropriate to each category of legal practitioner concerned. Under this levy mechanism, when commenced, the Legal Services Regulatory Authority will operate on a self-funding basis.
The raising of the levy under the 2015 Act is also contingent upon the establishment of the Roll of Practising Barristers to be introduced under Part 9 of the 2015 Act and for which section 133 allows a six-month lead-in period. The Roll will comprehend all practising barristers providing legal services whether or not they operate within the Law Library. The Law Society will continue to maintain the Roll of Practising Solicitors.
These two Parts of the 2015 Bill will be commenced and put into operation once the relevant preparations have been made for the new Roll of Practising Barristers under section 133 and the relevant calculations for the levy can be applied on foot of actual expenditure by the Legal Services Authority under section 95.
An allocation of €1 million was disbursed under the Justice Vote for 2016 as set-up support for the new Regulatory Authority with a similar amount expected to be disbursed for 2017. Any funding advanced under this interim arrangement is being provided on a recoupable basis to support the Authority until its own levy framework comes into operation.
Tribunals of Inquiry Data
Ceisteanna (195, 196)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:195. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when his Department signed off on the expenditure of hiring persons (details supplied) to work as part of the Charleton liaison committee; the amount both persons have cost to date; if the positions were advertised; if the positions went through a public procurement process; if not, the reason therefore; if the human resources division of An Garda Síochána was consulted on the hiring of both persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47652/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlan Kelly
Ceist:196. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Policing Authority was consulted or its attention drawn to at the time of the hiring of persons (details supplied) to work as part of the Charleton liaison committee; if not, the reason therefore; if the attention of the Policing Authority was drawn to or if it was consulted on these appointments; his views on whether they should have been under the legislation in which they were established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47653/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
First of all let me say for the benefit of the Deputy that the Disclosures Tribunal was appointed following the passage of resolutions by this House and Seanad Éireann on 16 February 2017. Those resolutions require the Tribunal to report to the clerk of Dáil Éireann with its findings and recommendations. Therefore, I do not propose to say or do anything which could be interpreted as impinging on its independence.
As the Deputy will be aware, it is the Garda Commissioner who has statutory responsibility to carry on and manage and control generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Accordingly, the putting in place of internal structures to service the Tribunal is a matter for the Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I do not believe that it would be proper for me as Minister to prescribe the approach which is taken by An Garda Síochána towards the Tribunal. Indeed, I would be open to criticism if I were to seek to influence how An Garda Síochána fulfil their duties to the Tribunal.
The rehiring of persons on a contract basis does not require the approval of either the Policing Authority or the Government. Neither is there a requirement to tender for the purposes of rehiring retired individuals on a temporary basis.
On a general note I would reiterate that the Government has been anxious to ensure that the Tribunal receives the greatest degree of assistance possible from all parties, not least An Garda Síochána. To that end the Government has been supportive of the former Commissioner, and continues to support the acting Commissioner in ensuring that the required resources are at the disposal of An Garda Síochána to service the Tribunal in a timely and effective manner. The then Commissioner identified that the requirements of the Tribunal could best be met by the re-engagement of a small number of retired persons and my Department approved this in February 2017, subject to formal sanction, which was conveyed in May 2017. The formal sanction provided for the engagement of three persons (i.e. two retired members of An Garda Síochána and one civilian) for up to nine months for the purposes of servicing the Tribunal. I am advised that the services of two retired senior members of An Garda Síochána (one retired Assistant Commissioner and one retired Chief Superintendent) were engaged initially for a period of six months and then for a further period of three months to 30 November 2017 in accordance with the formal sanction. Their contracts fully comply with pension abatement regulations.
Funding for the engagement of the persons concerned is met from within the Garda Vote. I am informed that the expenditure incurred to date is €78,840.
I would reiterate that the provision of these additional resources is to ensure that An Garda Síochána as an organisation is able to cooperate with the Tribunal to the fullest extent, without unduly affecting the ability of the organisation to continue to carry out its normal vital work.
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Staff
Ceisteanna (197)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:197. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will request the Garda Commissioner to ensure that the detective inspector post at the Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement is filled as a matter of urgency in view of the fact that this post has been vacant for the past 14 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47672/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am informed that by the Commissioner that a Detective Inspector has been assigned to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement on a temporary basis, following the retirement of the previously assigned Detective Inspector in October 2016. It is expected that this position will be filled on a permanent basis following the holding of a competition for Detective Inspectors in the near future.
In addition, as the Deputy will be aware, on 2 November the Government published a report outlining a range of measures to enhance Ireland's corporate, economic and regulatory framework and this includes a reconstitution of the ODCE, which will be led by the Tánaiste in her role as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
Road Safety Data
Ceisteanna (198)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:198. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out in tabular form the number of road fatalities in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by month and county. [47682/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like thank the Deputy for raising the serious issue of road safety. Last year's increase in the number of road traffic fatalities (186) following a historic low of 162 in 2015 highlights the need to continue to deploy all effective measures to reduce road traffic collisions. Road safety is, of course, a shared responsibility and it is incumbent upon us all to play our part.
The number of fatal road traffic collisions monthly for the period 2014 to date in 2017 are in the public domain and are available on the Garda website: www.garda.ie.
I have requested a county-by-county breakdown from the Garda authorities and will be in contact with the Deputy directly on receipt of a Garda report.
A deferred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A