I will give serious consideration to that report and how we can speed up the process. There is nothing in what the Deputy has said with which I can disagree. There have been long delays for a considerable time. We need to clear that backlog and get down to a quick, speedy and effective system for these people, many, if not all, of whom have been through serious traumatic experiences in their lives. The delays are unacceptable. The Department is putting processes in place to ensure that these decisions can be made a…

I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this very important issue. The pandemic has created significant challenges for visa processing. Applications are made to Irish embassies and missions worldwide, each with different public health measures in place. This has caused difficulties for individuals and families but the Government has had sound public health reasons for discouraging, and at times prohibiting, non-essential travel. Nevertheless, my Department continues to process visas for essential workers and decisions on…

We introduced the new statutory declaratory process last January to address the backlog of applications. A number of amendments were needed to be able to carry this out. In the normal course of events, people would make their declarations in the presence of the relevant Ministers at that time at a set location. Because that could not be done, however, this new statutory declaration process was brought in. As I said, 6,500 applicants have been invited to complete the final steps prior to the granting of the certific…

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment determines whether to issue an employment permit based on a labour market needs test. This decides whether employment opportunities that arise in Ireland should be offered to suitably skilled Irish and other EEA nationals before being offered to non-EEA nationals where no suitable candidate emerges from within the EEA system to fill that vacancy. Immigration checks done by the Department of Justice are a separate part of the process for entry to Ireland and an exam…

I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue. The resources provided by the Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.88 billion in 2020 and of €1.952 billion in 2021. This has enabled sustained ongoing recruitment into the organisation. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of members o…

I thank Deputies O'Sullivan and Moynihan for their commitment in supporting An Garda Síochána and highlighting its efforts and needs. The Garda Commissioner and the local chief superintendent determine the number of gardaí in an area and whether they should be designated as community gardaí but all gardaí have a role in community policing. It is at the heart of what they do. A number of pilot projects have been established around local community safety partnerships and we expect they will be rolled out right across…

The last budget provided the largest ever amount of funding for An Garda Síochána. There is a commitment to the recruitment of additional gardaí to be distributed across the country as they graduate. There is a commitment under the 2021 budget for 620 new gardaí this year, although due to the pandemic it will be difficult to meet that number. The target is now 450, to be spread over four intakes, and the first intake has already commenced. I hope we can make up the difference next year and the gardaí, once they gra…

The amendments made to the Bill by the Seanad all relate to the deletion of references to UEFA Euro 2020 tickets or ticket packages in the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann. Acceptance of the amended sections entails accordingly the deletion of such references and the technical amendments made in consequence of the removal of provisions relating to the UEFA Euro 2020 football championship in the Bill as passed by the Dáil. All the amendments to the Bill are Government amendments. No amendments were moved by the Opposi…

On behalf of the Tánaiste, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Deputies for their interest in, and contribution to, the passage of this Bill through the Dáil. The organised purchase of tickets by touts and secondary sellers to make a quick profit at the expense of real music and sports fans is about to come to an end with this Bill, and rightly so. The Bill bans the resale of tickets above face value and, in doing so, protects real fans of music, sports and other events and prevents the profiteers an…

The Tánaiste has confirmed that it will be enacted as early as possible.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to bring the Private Security Services (Amendment) Bill 2021 before the Seanad. The principal objective of this Bill is to insert a new category of enforcement guard in the list of private security services licensed by the Private Security Authority, PSA, under the 2004 Act. The definition and insertion of this additional category will address a gap in the legislation whereby those enforcing court orders are not currently subject to regulation or licensing by the PSA. This will …

I thank Senators for their contributions and for facilitating the quick progression of this Bill through the Seanad today. This amending Bill will address a gap that was necessary to close, and will bring the new category of "enforcement guard" under the remit of the Private Security Authority's licensing regime. The Government has moved to ensure that private security firms and their employees who are engaged on foot of a High Court order are properly regulated. This will also ensure proper licensing and appropria…

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I think this will be my last opportunity to contribute in the Seanad as the end of this term approaches. We have brought a great deal of legislation through both Houses, with the support and facilitation of the Seanad. I extend my gratitude to the Leas-Chathaoirleach, the Cathaoirleach and Senators. This is important legislation. Along with the Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Act 2021, which we dealt with in this House only some weeks ago, this legislation will help to support peopl…

This Bill is a pragmatic and urgent effort to address the ambiguity that requires clarification for businesses, local authorities and the gardaí to facilitate and support an outdoor summer. The Covid pandemic has seen businesses adapt to public health guidance in this unprecedented time. Today, we seek to ensure that the adaptions, which relate to outdoor seating areas for pubs, restaurants, and clubs, can be accommodated within this time-bound legislation. As we are all acutely aware, due to the significant risk o…

I thank the Members of the House for their contributions on this Bill. I thank the Attorney General, the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, OPC, the officials in the Department of Justice, the Minister for Justice, Deputy Humphreys, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton. It really has been a case of all hands on deck to try to get this legislation introduced as quickly as possible due to the importance of bringing clarity to this issue. This important legislation comes at a sensitive time. We are seeking to …

I thank Senator Ward for putting forward these amendments. In terms of amendment No. 1, which proposes a change to the definition of an authorisation, I do not intend to accept this amendment as the definition is sufficient as drafted. The use of the word "and" in both instances is of the proper form and construction and the proposed amendment may have unintended consequences for the interpretation of the Bill. In terms of amendments Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive, my officials have consulted with the Office of Parliamenta…

I thank Senator Ward for his proposed amendments and his detailed analysis of the Bill. When legislation is challenged at such a forensic level it strengthens it and challenges the officials. Amendments being brought forward is always welcome, whether they are accepted or not, because they are a critical part of what we do here. Amendment No. 6 seeks to delete the term "licensed premises" from section 2(1). This section facilitates the necessary linkage between the liquor licence and the permission to operate an ou…

With regard to the number of judges, the judicial planning working group has been convened and is examining the number and type of judges that will be required in our courts system over the coming years. It will address not only the need for High Court judges but judges throughout the service. This is timely and very badly needed. Amendment No. 10 proposes restructuring the second paragraph to be inserted in section 9 of the Court and Courts Officers Act 1995. I have discussed the amendment with my officials and ha…

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach very much. I also want to thank the Cathaoirleach, Senator Daly, on the one-year anniversary of his holding of this office in light of the very significant amount of legislation that has been brought through the Seanad in the past year in a difficult period. This was primarily due to his stewardship and I congratulate him on that. I also want to thank the Senators again for facilitating this legislation’s passage through the Houses. Senator Conway is correct in that there has been si…

I thank the Senator for raising an important matter which is exercising many Members, solicitors and others. I want to convey the apologies of the Minister for Justice, Deputy Humphreys, who regrets she cannot be here for this matter due to the Cabinet sitting. On behalf of the Minister and the Government, I thank Senator Gallagher for raising the matter. The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 provides for fundamental reform and modernisation of land law and conveyancing law, and aims to simplify the law and…