Joe Neville
Ceist:292. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Justice when the implementation of automatic numberplate recognition CCTV will be completed nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7024/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraClosed-Circuit Television Systems
Ceisteanna (292)
Freagraí scríofa
The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the implementation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and the roll out of the new regime for CCTV. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The Programme For Government commits to expand the number of cameras using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to fight serious and organised crime, as provided for by the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023.
The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 allows Garda access to ANPR data gathered by other bodies, thereby assisting Gardaí in crime investigation. It provides for the automatic transfer of ANPR records from designated third parties, subject to a data sharing agreement, on an ongoing basis and provides An Garda Síochána with the power to process those records. Initially, these designated third parties will be the Dublin Port Company, the National Roads Authority and Dublin Airport Authority PLC, all bodies with extensive ANPR camera networks already in place.
Separately from ANPR, Part 5 of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 provides for a new regime for the authorisation and operation of CCTV.
In order to implement the expansion of the use of ANPR, Part 3 of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 must be commenced. In order to introduce the new regime for CCTV, Part 5 of that Act must be commenced.
There is also a requirement for the Garda Commissioner to develop Codes of Practice for ANPR and CCTV which will set out the procedures and standards to be followed, as well as the new rules around confidentiality, security, storage, access and retention of data and data subject rights. I am advised that officials in my Department are engaging with An Garda Síochána to progress this matter.
Official Engagements
Ceisteanna (293)
Cathy Bennett
Ceist:293. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the official engagements in his Ministerial diary, and that of any Minister of State in his Department, for the week ending 16 February 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7047/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy with regard to my engagements for the week ending 16 February 2025 is set out in the following table:
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Monday 10 February |
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9:30 -10:15 Meeting with ISME |
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10:45 - 11:15 Clip for Media |
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11:00 - 11:30 Meeting RE: Local Community Safety Partnerships |
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14:00 - 15:00 Briefing with Officials |
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15:00 - 16:00 Meeting RE: Family Justice |
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Tuesday 11 February |
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12:00 - 13:30 Briefing RE: International Protection Accommodation Services |
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14:00 - 15:00 Leaders Questions |
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15:30 - 16:30 Briefing RE: Ukraine Accommodation |
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Wednesday 12 February |
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09:00 - 11:00 Cabinet |
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11:30 - 12:00 Meeting with Secretary General |
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12:30 - 14:00 Visit to IPO Mount Street |
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14:45 - 15:15 Statements on the Programme for Government |
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16:21 - 17:15 Dáil - Opt-In to the negotiating mandate on an EU-UK Youth Experience Scheme |
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19:00 - 20:00 Parliamentary Party Meeting |
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Thursday 13 February |
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10:30 - 11:00 Media Doorstep at Citizenship Ceremonies |
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11:00 - 12:30 Citizenship Ceremony |
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12:00 - 12:30 Briefing with Officials |
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12:00 - 13:00 Leaders Questions |
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13:00 - 14:30 Citizenship Ceremony |
|
15:00 - 16:00 Meeting with Garda National Immigration Bureau |
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16:00 - 17:00 Meeting RE: Garda Recruitment |
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Friday 14 February |
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09:30 - 10:30 Meeting with Constituency Office |
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11:00 - 12:30 Visit Store Street Garda Station |
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13:00 - 14:30 Citizenship Ceremony |
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15:00 - 16:00 Citizenship Ceremony |
In addition, the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the engagements of Minister of State Collins during the same period, is provided in the following table:
|
Thursday 13 February |
|
10:45 Media Doorstep at Citizenship Ceremonies |
|
15:00 Citizenship Ceremony |
Artificial Intelligence
Ceisteanna (294)
Sinéad Gibney
Ceist:294. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Justice if his Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the Department; if any section of his Department currently makes use of AI; the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; and if he has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of AI. [7055/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department complies with the “Interim Guidelines for Use of AI in the Public Service” issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in February 2024 and also with guidance issued to all Government Departments in June 2023 by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in relation to the cyber security aspects.
To further support our modernisation of immigration services, my Department has recently deployed an AI assistant and smart chatbot using Microsoft Copilot, which provides assistance to both applicants and staff. The smart assistant is accessed through an authenticated portal on the immigration website. In implementing this solution, my Department has leveraged Generative AI in a low-risk, fully compliant way, to offer enhanced digital services including appointment booking and status inquiries to applicants via the portal and to staff by means of an internal customer service resource.
The costs associated with this Microsoft technology were €19,923 in 2024. This covers the costs from implementation in October 2024 up to 31st May 2025 when the current agreement ends. Further costs will be incurred from 1st June 2025; these are subject to the pricing received in a new procurement exercise but, based on current usage, would be expected to be in the region of €25k per annum.
I can confirm that while some staff in my Department have spoken to, or attended information events on AI provided by, consultancy firms, this has been for general information purposes and we have not paid for any consultancy on AI to date.
My Department will continue to assess the opportunities presented by all digital tools, including AI, to improve the delivery, efficiency and accessibility of services to our customers.
Residency Permits
Ceisteanna (295)
Brian Brennan
Ceist:295. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Justice the up-to-date position on the single application procedure for a combined employment and residence permit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7094/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is working closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to ensure that Ireland's labour market migration arrangements are fair, efficient and meet the needs of our economy and society.
Currently, a person from outside the European Economic Area wishing to work in Ireland must make an application to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an employment permit, and then separately apply to my Department for an immigration permission and a visa if necessary.
Work is underway to unify the process for applying for employment permits, visas and immigration permissions, as set out in the Programme for Government. An implementation group has been established with Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to commence implementation of what will be a single permit for employment and immigration purposes. This will take a number of years to complete.
In the shorter term, efficiencies will be introduced to make the process easier for prospective employers and workers. These changes will include reducing the duplication of checks and documents through data sharing, aligning online information to streamline the customer experience and designing a single payment model for a single fee.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (296)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:296. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of racing greyhounds microchipped between 1 October 2023 and 31 December 2024, in tabular form. [6856/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the organisation charged with the role of Keeper of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book (IGSB) since 1923. The Stud Book records pedigrees, ownerships, breeding data and transfers of ownership of all greyhounds. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann.
The ICC has informed my Department that the number of racing greyhounds microchipped between 1 October 2023 and 31 December 2024 is 11,058.
Food Industry
Ceisteanna (297)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:297. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which new markets continue to be established for Irish food products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6857/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A key focus of Food Vision 2030, the strategic framework for the development of Ireland's agri-food sector, is to grow the value of our agri-food exports on international markets. Food Vision identifies a number of actions targeted at realising this value growth ambition. These actions include new market diversification and promotion activities.
My Department works closely with Bord Bia and the Irish agri-food sector to realise new opportunities particularly in markets with growing middle-class populations and rising disposable incomes. These markets are characterised by consumers with a significant demand for the high-quality, sustainable and safe dairy, meat, beverages and seafood produced by our farmers, fishers and processors.
A key component of my Department's efforts is a Ministerial Trade Mission programme, which we undertake in conjunction with Bord Bia and industry. In 2024, Trade Missions were undertaken to the USA, China, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam as well as to established European markets in the UK, France, Spain and Germany.
For 2025, trade missions to the USA, Japan (to coincide with the World EXPO in Osaka), Korea, China and other potential destinations are under consideration. This programme of Ministerial Trade Missions provides important opportunities for the Government to enhance the ongoing efforts of Bord Bia and industry in marketing Ireland's high quality, sustainably produced agri-food products in key priority growth markets.
I can assure the Deputy that I am firmly focused on growing export value for the sector, as this is also a key element of my commitment to deliver sustainable incomes for our family farms.
Animal Diseases
Ceisteanna (298)
John Lahart
Ceist:298. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a comprehensive statement with regard to avian, bird flu in general; Irelands preparedness for the disease; and cross-Border measures in relation to same given recent incidents in Northern Ireland of bird flu. [6865/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department takes the threat of avian influenza seriously. My officials are monitoring the situation regarding avian influenza in Northern Ireland and continuously engaging with stakeholders in the poultry sector and also with colleagues in Northern Ireland on this issue.
Strict biosecurity is the most effective tool to protect poultry against avian influenza. This is why the Government introduced the Avian Influenza (Biosecurity Measures) Regulations last December and introduced the Avian Influenza (Precautionary Confinement of Birds and Restriction on Assembly of Live Birds) Regulations 2025 which came into effect on 17th February of this year. Similar measures have been introduced in Northern Ireland.
Officials from my Department conduct avian influenza surveillance measures in wild birds and poultry throughout the year. The detection of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in five wild birds in different parts of the country (counties Galway, Dublin, Westmeath, Wexford and Donegal) since early December 2024 shows that these measures are effective. The Department also undertakes significant preparation in terms of continency planning, training and other resourcing around potential avian influenza outbreaks in poultry flocks and swiftly dealt with outbreaks that occurred in 2022 and 2021.
Veterinary officials from my Department are in regular contact with medical colleagues in the HSE and HPSC in relation to the potential risk of human infection with avian influenza virus. The avian influenza National Coordination Group meets regularly to consider the risk and to plan accordingly. The European Centres for Disease Control (ECDC) has stated that the risk to the general public from avian influenza is low. However, the public are advised not to touch sick or dying wild birds, in case they may be infected.
There is no food safety risk relating to avian influenza from properly cooked eggs and poultry meat.
Detailed advice relating to avian influenza is available on my Department’s website.
Live Exports
Ceisteanna (299)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:299. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of plans to export 5000 calves from Waterford to the Netherlands on the MV Alondra in April; the health risks such a trip exposes these animals to; if there have been any subsidies provided to cover the trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6879/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The trade in and the export of animals is a private commercial activity, but it is heavily regulated by European and National law which my Department enforces. In order for a dedicated livestock vessel to operate out of Ireland it must be approved by my Department in accordance with the provisions of Statutory Instrument (S.I.) No. 356/2016 - Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016. The dedicated livestock vessel MV Alondra is approved by my Department under S.I . No 356 /2016 to transport cattle and sheep.
S.I No. 356/2016 requires the owner of an approved vessel to give 5 working days advance notice in writing to my Department of any proposal to load the vessel with livestock in the State. In the event that my Department receives written notification of a proposal to load an approved vessel with calves within the state the necessary resources will be put in place to ensure a high level of animal health and welfare prior to loading and during the voyage.