427. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposed role which Irish development charities and migrant groups such as the Immigrant Council of Ireland working on the refugee crisis have in the global summit being co-hosted by Ireland at the United Nations in New York in the United States of […]

263. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for Ireland to meet its commitment to offer shelter, protection and hope to 4,000 refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. 264. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will guarantee that Ireland’s […]

262. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will work with lawyers from the Immigrant Council of Ireland on the ground in refugee camps in France to identify vulnerable migrants, including lone children who may have legal grounds for entry here; and if she will make a statement on the […]

258. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of representations received by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS, from the dissolution of the Thirty-First Dáil to date; the number returned to public representatives within the period in question; the number of representations received via the Minister’s […]

257. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will ensure that Ireland does not sign up to a new agreement with Turkey at the meeting of the European Council this week which, if successfully passed, will be in contravention of our international obligations to protect refugees in accordance with the […]

256. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the cost of becoming an Irish citizen; the process in place for reviewing the cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. […]

255. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the legal avenues whereby a citizen of the United States of America can legally reside here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): All of the varied migration avenues available […]

249. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of racist incidents and any percentage increase recorded on the Garda Síochána PULSE system since changes were introduced in December 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): […]

248. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of Syrian nationals refused access here in the five years since the start of the war in that country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): The information […]

247. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set down the number of Syrian refugees admitted here since the start of the war there five years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): Ireland is one of 27 States […]

235. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the changes she has implemented in her Department and in other concerned bodies, such as the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, to give effect to the changes initiated in the new International Protection Act 2015 which aims to speed up the process of seeking […]

234. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the provisions of the new International Protection Act 2015 will apply to all asylum seekers and refugees seeking asylum here many who have been here for a number or years in direct provision, or will it only apply to new applicants; and if […]

231. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality why non-European Union retired citizens are required to have an annual income of €50,000 and substantial other funds in order to reside here; and if she will change this requirement. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): The reason for the financial requirements […]

229. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware that the cost of citizenship at an approximate minimum cost of €1,000 is prohibitive and acts as a deterrent to many residents who are fully settled in Ireland applying for citizenship and having a say in the democratic process; and […]

223. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Defence when the Naval Service will restart its search and rescue operation in the Mediterranean in light of the recorded 2,507 % increase in the numbers of persons crossing to Italy in the past week since the closure of the so-called “Balkan route”; and if he will […]

218. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Defence when the Naval Service will resume its life-saving mission in the Mediterranean following the rescue of more than 8,000 persons in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Defence (Deputy Simon Coveney): Following a Government Decision on 12 May 2015, […]

137. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the recent Workplace Relations Commission ruling on au pair employment rights; his plans concerning employment rights in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation […]

130. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is planning an awareness campaign to ensure all families are aware of any ramifications arising from the recent ruling by the Workplace Relations Commission on au pairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. 131. Deputy Dara Calleary […]

The Taoiseach: I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the victims of the horrific bomb attacks that took place in Brussels this morning. These acts were utterly indiscriminate and an attack on our society and democratic values. I condemn them in the strongest possible terms, as I also condemn the attacks in Mali last […]

Nasc is deeply concerned at the proposed EU-Turkey deal currently being discussed by EU leaders at the European Council this week. Nasc CEO Fiona Finn states: “This deal is skewed from the very start. Instead of embracing our moral and legal obligation to protect people’s fundamental human rights and dignity, EU leaders seem to be […]