I thank the Deputies for raising this most important matter. As the House will be aware, Fr. Niall Molloy was a Catholic priest who tragically died in undetermined circumstances on 8 July 1985. Fr. Molly was the parish priest of Castlecoote, County Roscommon at the time of his death. I wish to send my sympathies and those of this House to the family of Fr. Molloy for the grief and trauma this tragedy has caused them in the years since his death. It is important to emphasise that the investigation of any crime is st…

Again, I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. I am very aware of the claims that have been made over many years regarding Fr. Molloy's death but I must emphasise again that the Minister for Justice has no role in any investigation of any crime or the decision to prosecute any crime. These are strictly matters for An Garda Síochána and the DPP. The question of any further prosecution is a matter for the DPP, who has already issued a direction in that regard. It is important to recall that the investigation in…

I would like to convey the apologies of the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, who regrets she cannot be here today due to another commitment. On her behalf, I thank Deputy Ó Ríordáin for raising this important matter and giving me the opportunity to clarify a number of issues. The Stardust fire was a national tragedy. It has left a particular legacy of pain for many people in north Dublin. I sympathise greatly with the families of the 48 young people who were tragically killed in the Stardust fire over…

I agree with the Deputy that nobody wants to be having rows over funding and I will bring the Deputy's comments and sentiments to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, when she returns. Extensive work has already been undertaken. I understand that work will continue and the Legal Aid Board will continue to engage with the legal representatives of the families. Understandably, this is an extremely sensitive and tragic situation. I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Minister o…

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)( a ) and 181(1).

No.

On a point of order, this matter has been brought forward in terms of today's schedule.

I thank the Senators who have sponsored the Bill for bringing it to the House. I thank those who bravely told of their experiences here this evening, including Senator Keogan, and those who allowed their experiences to be shared in the House on their behalf by Senators. The Government is not opposing this Bill this evening. I am aware of the sincerity and the depth of feeling of my colleagues who brought forward this Bill. I am aware also that Senator Chambers has given a lot of time to and is dedicated to this Bil…

The Minister was attending another event but he is en route . As the Deputy knows, there is a transcript of the debate as well and the Minister will read it. There should be less of the games. Let us focus on the key issues.

A couple of years ago, Wexford County Council put forward proposals to develop Trinity Wharf in Wexford town to rejuvenate a brownfield site at the heart of the town to help to develop the socio- and commercial development of the area, to facilitate economic growth and, in particular, to create a vibrant place to live, to do business and to support the cultural part of that town. I was delighted recently when the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, provided almost €19 millio…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Bill 2021. The purpose of this Bill is to implement EU framework decision 2008/909/JHA on the mutual recognition of judgments in criminal matters imposing custodial sentences and other measures involving deprivation of liberty. The implementation of this framework decision will facilitate the transfer of prisoners between EU member states where that transfer would enhance the…

It is the official language. There will be no executions. Transfers may also be conducted in respect of persons committed to the Central Mental Hospital under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006, and under 18-year-olds detained under the Children Act. Provision is made for consent to be given by an appropriate proxy where the person is unable to do so themselves. Once a person is transferred, the law of the executing state applies to the administration of the sentence. This means, for example, in an incoming trans…

I thank Deputies for their contributions to the debate on this important Bill. A number of important issues were raised in respect of the Bill but there has been broad agreement on the importance of it and its need to pass through the Houses of the Oireachtas at a reasonable pace. I acknowledge the issues raised by Deputy Martin Kenny to the effect that the UK is not contemplated by this Bill as it stands and that this is giving rise issues in respect of prisoner transfers. This is partly because the UK is outside …

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)( a ) and 181(1).

I echo the sentiments of Deputy Devlin in thanking the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the Ceann Comhairle, the ushers and other staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas, the staff in the convention centre and the members of An Garda Síochána who assisted us. They have done Trojan work over the recent period in keeping us all safe and effective as we did our work in the convention centre. I acknowledge the great public concern, which the Government shares, arising from a number of serious knife crimes that have occurred in rec…

I take Deputy Kenny's comments on board. The broader piece is very important. In any instance where there is violent crime, education is critical, whatever the causes of the crime. Tackling socioeconomic problems and taking a wrap-around approach is also important. That is what we are doing with the antisocial behaviour forum. We are trying to find a way to look at the different causes of the issues around knife crime. It is not simply about legislation. Legislation is very important but we also need to look at the…

I congratulate Deputy Bacik. I have had the pleasure of dealing with her in here over the past year on justice issues. She is a huge loss to the Seanad given her forensic analysis of justice legislation and ability to improve the legislation we have introduced. I look forward to engaging with her in the Dáil. I thank Senator Wall for raising this important issue. He has made this a hugely important matter for himself since he came into the Seanad and is committed to seeking gambling reform. The programme for Govern…

I thank the Senator. The CEO-designate will be the gambling regulator and he or she will be appointed by the end of this year. The new scheme will be published in September. The regulator is expected to have up to 100 employees to support him or her and to implement the legislation. The legislation is making its way through the Houses. We want the regulator in place so that the necessary regulations to underpin that legislation can be developed. Following enactment of the legislation, the regulator will be up and r…

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. For people in the international protection process, the Government's objective is to have decisions made on their applications, including permission to remain, as soon as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of our protection can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here in Ireland with a sense of safety and security. I am conscious of the difficulties and trauma encountered by people who seek international protection and I am glad …

The Deputy is correct in the statistics he provides. There were significant delays even pre Covid. Covid has exacerbated the situation in a period when there was an intention to reduce the time for processing applications. However, processes are being put in place to ensure that we can meet the requirements that are set out both in the White Paper and our internal requirements to process these applications as quickly as possible. I made a visit last week to the IPO to see exactly how the processes were working in t…