Tag Archives: Frances Fitzgerald

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, has announced  she intends to proceed with the enactment of legislation to promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient adjunct to court proceedings. “Following my Private Members’ motion on mediation in the Seanad today, which was supported by the majority of senators; I am delighted that the Minister for Justice has now committed to the enactment of the Mediation Bill in early course,” commented Senator Martin Conway. He continiued, “Mediation is voluntary process of conflict prevention and resolution that allows the parties an opportunity to address their issues in a confidential, private and safe environment. It improves communication, narrows outstanding issues, defuses emotions and defines area of agreement. Statistics from the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland show a success rate for mediation averaging 80%. “I am confident that dealing with disputes in this way will provide the parties in dispute with the best possible opportunity to resolve their issues in a fast …

The publication of the Heads of the Sexual Offences Bill, which criminalises the purchase of sex, has receive the seal of approval of Councillor Mary Howard, a long time campaigner on the issue. Councilllor Howard said, “I warmly welcome the publication of a Bill, which will target the source of the demand for the sex trade.” The Cabinet has given the go ahead to Minister For Justice, Frances Fitzgerald to prepare the necessary legislation. Ms Howard is a stong supporter of TORL (Turn Off The Red Light). TORL is made up of Irish Civil Society Organisations, trade unions, NGOs and individuals working together to raise awareness about the damage of prostitution and sex trafficking, and lobby the Government to legislate to put an end to the exploitation of women and children in the Irish sex industry.

The Children’s Rights Alliance has welcomed the release of the seventh report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, Dr Geoffrey Shannon. Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance said, “Dr Shannon’s report is a wakeup call for Government to urgently review the 1991 Child Care Act, which is the bedrock of our child protection system. The legislation is over 20 years old and the courts don’t have the powers they need to keep children safe. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly is well placed to commission a review and to reform this area.” Ms Ward added, “The internet is a new frontier in child protection and Dr Shannon shows how our laws have not kept pace with technological advances. This generation of children are in danger of online grooming and Dr Shannon is calling for new laws. For this reason the new Heads of the Sexual Offences Bill published on Thursday by Minister …

Clare Senator , Martin Conway has called on his fellow senators to support the Fine Gael Private Members Motion, which calls on the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, to improve the operation of Joint Policing Committees (JPC) throughout the country. Senator Conway said  JPCs provide a forum where a local authority and the senior Garda officers responsible for the policing of that area consult, discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the area with the participation of Oireachtas members and community interests. “I am convinced that we need to deal with crime at a local level. Whilst JPCs do great work throughout the country in identifying, raising awareness of and finding solutions for issues impacting on, or causing concerns for the local community, I believe the role of JPCs could be enhanced and strengthened. “I welcome the new revised guidelines for the operation of JPCs which were recently published by the Minister for Justice and …

Clare senator, Martin Conway, has urged the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald and the Acting Garda Commissioner, Noirin O’Sullivan, to consider the establishment of a website to keep victims informed about the status of their case. “Last year in the UK, Avon and Somerset police forces set up a website called TrackMyCrime, allowing people to follow the progress of their cases,” said the Fine Seanad Spokesperson on Justice, Disability and Equality. “TrackMyCrime allows victims of crime to access the progress of the investigation of their crime as well as contact the officer leading the investigation. The service is offered to victims of crime alongside all of our other methods of communication with notifications via email and/or text, alerting them to a message which they can securely access at a time and in a way that suits them.,” he explained. Senator Conway said the system automatically updates as police enter information on their computers, with emergency 999 call handlers …