Parliamentary Questions

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):... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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;... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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”;... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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.... Read more

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... Read more

52. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 143 of 26 November 2015 and her statement that the statistics were being compiled and would be provided to the Deputy in due course, if she will forward same to this Deputy. Minister for Justice and... Read more

262. Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to respond to issues raised concerning English language schools (details supplied). Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): In May 2015 the Government announced significant reforms of the international... Read more

195. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure by which English language schools which have no external accreditation are permitted on the interim list of education programmes even though external accreditation is one of the main requirements of being listed... Read more

194. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of deportation orders issued, by country of origin, by country of deportation to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I am advised by the... Read more

186. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware that asylum seekers living in Direct Provision in Richmond Court in County Longford, are unable to open bank accounts, because they are asked to provide utility bills, that they live in a building that is poorly heated... Read more

182. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the status of the Dublin Protocol and the Schengen Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I understand the Deputy is referring to... Read more

111. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of refugees Ireland has accepted to date as part of our commitment to take 4,000 refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I assume the... Read more

24. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to ensure the regularisation of undocumented migrants in the State through a fair and pragmatic system as outlined by the Migrant Rights Centre in a presentation to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality in 2015. Minister... Read more

15. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her response to the low level of refugee applications to the State under the European Union’s relocation plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): This... Read more