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On today's show, we turn our attention to the final day of the TUI Annual Conference taking place here in Wexford. We begin with highlights from Minister for Justice Helen McEntee's address, touching on key issues impacting the education sector. Following that, TUI President David Waters shares the union's perspective on current challenges, priorities, and progress within Ireland's teaching profession.
Brenda Power (Irish journalist and Barrister) speaks to Wendy about how Minister for Justice Helen McEntee signed the order to ensure that the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 has come into force (from Tuesday 31 December 2024). The new legislation provides for increased prison sentences for certain crimes, where proven to be motivated by hatred, or where hatred is demonstrated. However this law introduced in Ireland by the Minister McEntee is recongiszing an unlimited number of genders – meaning the new Criminal Justice (hate offences) Act 2024 is contradicting the Gender Recongition Act of 2015 which states that there are only 2 genders – ‘male and female'. Brenda speaks to Wendy explaining this new law, what it says regarding what gender a person expresses or identifies as, and also confusion on how judges in court are meant to navigate this, if the law is trusting judges to determine which of a multitude of genders for example, a victim is in a case.
Crime in Dublin city centre, Family Courts bill, UAE treaties and an announcement on immigration. Crime in Dublin city centre, Family Courts bill, UAE treaties and an announcement on immigration, Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice, joins us in studio.
Sending Irish prisoners to jails in eastern Europe and letting some sex offenders out early with electronic tags are just two of the 16 recommendations put forward by an expert group to solve the overcrowding crisis in Irish prisons.These two proposals are not being considered by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee but most of the measures in the Prison Overcrowding Response Group's new report are, including pop-up prison cells and early release for a wide range of offences.So packed are our 14 jails that for the past two years many offenders have already been released early – a drastic move that's gone almost unnoticed.But the problem keeps getting bigger as Conor Gallagher, Irish Times crime and security correspondent, explains as he outlines the challenges and possible solutions, including building a new prison.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has signed bilateral treaties with the United Arab Emirates on extradition and mutual legal assistance today. The minister said she believes the two agreements will support tackling organised crime and drug gangs. Deputy Leader of Fine Gael and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee joined Cormac.
The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has announced her intentions to plan to increase the maximum sentences for those convicted of knife crimes. In the last six years in Kerry alone, 239 knives have been seized by gardaí. Amber spoke to John Deane-O'Keeffe, a forensic criminologist and he is also a patron of AdVIC, a charity for families bereaved by homicide. You can contact AdVIC on 1800 852 000 - https://advic.ie/
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has signed a commencement order to increase the maximum sentences for four knife-related offences. Pat was joined by leader of Aontu Peadar Tobin.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has confirmed that plans to introduce hate speech laws have been dropped. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Dr Amanullah de Sondy, Head of the Study of Religions & Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Islam at UCC.
The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has confirmed she is not moving ahead with plans to introduce new hate speech laws saying that it will be dealt with at a later stage as “the incitement to hatred element does not have a consensus”.Minister McEntee has said she is “...adamant that hate crime legislation will be enacted".Was she right to delay it? To discuss, Kieran is joined by Alan Shatter, former Minister for Justice and Ronan Mullen, Independent NUI Senator.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has confirmed that plans to introduce hate speech laws have been dropped. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Dr Amanullah de Sondy, Head of the Study of Religions & Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Islam at UCC.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has announced an increase in the garda training allowance. Will this result in more recruits? Jerry spoke to the Kerry representative for the GRA (Garda Representative Association), Eddie Walsh.
A major change is on the way for life sentences in Ireland with judges set to be given discretion to recommend minimum periods in prison for those sentenced to life. To explain the changes was Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.
The Body Worn Cameras proof of concept was launched in Limerick by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris earlier today and Minister for Justice Helen Mcentee spoke to Jonathan Healy on the Hard Shoulder today.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee gave her response to the ongoing protests scenes in Coolock.
We talk to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.
This week Minister for Justice Helen McEntee announced that five more countries have been added to the list of safe countries. They are Egypt, Morocco, India, Brazil and Malawi, and their addition has implications for anyone coming from there to Ireland seeking asylum. There are already 10 countries on that list – and it's a list that has changed and grown over recent years.So why these countries, and why now? And what does ‘safe' mean in the context of the International Protection process?Sorcha Pollak has been looking into what this means for new arrivals and for Ireland's system of assessing refuge applications.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee is expected to tell Cabinet tomorrow that she intends to add Egypt, India and Brazil to the State's list of safe countries. To discuss this move Dr Ciara Smyth Lecturer, School of Law at the University of Galway and Jim O'Callaghan Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Justice and TD for Dublin Bay South.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee
The government is being urged to "get its house in order" on immigration. It comes amid a dispute with the UK over returning asylum seekers to Britain, with Ireland working to close the loophole to send refugees back to the UK if they cross the border. The Cabinet has approved proposals from Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to quickly draft legislation so that the UK can again be designated as a safe country to return people seeking asylum. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Donnacha Ó Beacháin, a Newmarket on Fergus native, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University, and John Lannon, CEO of Doras.
A major diplomatic spat has erupted between the Irish and British governments over migration.It began when Minister for Justice Helen McEntee stated that more than 80 per cent of recent international applicants came to Ireland from the UK across the border with Northern Ireland.Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made political hay with this 80 per cent figure, saying it proves his Rwanda scheme is deterring migrants from remaining in the UK.The two governments are seemingly a major impasse over how to resolve the issue.It's a story that involves political posturing in advance of elections on both sides of the Irish sea, but also also an issue of genuine importance to voters and to those seeking international protection.Political Editor Pat Leahy and London Correspondent Mark Paul look at the ramping up of tensions, where it leaves British-Irish relations and its impact on the political issue of immigration here.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Rishi Sunak has stated that he's "not interested" in pursuing a deal with the Irish Government. This comes as Minister for Justice Helen McEntee is set to bring Emergency legislation to Cabinet today that would send asylum seekers back to UK. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Matthew Parris, Columnist with The Times and Former Conservative MP Professor Siobhan Mulally, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights and UN Special Rapporteur for Trafficking of the Persons.
The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said last week that more than 80% of recent arrivals in this country had come via the land border with Northern Ireland. Tánaiste Micheál Martin believes the UK Conservatives’ migration policies – chiefly the threat of deportation to Rwanda – was resulting in international protection applicants coming to Ireland instead of the UK. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said yesterday the UK’s Rwanda policy was working. Then a scheduled meeting between Helen McEntee and UK Home Secretary James Cleverly was cancelled by Mr Cleverly. Jerry got the views of Pa Daly who’s Sinn Féin’s justice spokesperson.
A scheduled meeting between Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and her UK counterpart James Cleverly was postponed at the last minute late on Sunday evening. The meeting was due to take place over the flow of migrants across the border. To discuss further Shane was joined on the show by Jim O'Callaghan, Fianna Fail Spokesperson for Justice and TD for Dublin Bay South and also Donnchadh O'Laoghaire, Sinn Fein's spokesperson on Social Protection.
A meeting between Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and UK Home Secretary James Cleverly has been postponed. It comes amid tensions between the UK and Ireland over the movement of migrants.We get the latest on this with Aisling Moloney Political Correspondent, Irish Daily Mail and also talking to Pat was James Lawless TD Fianna Fail TD for Kildare North and Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice.
Hugh Linehan is joined by Pat Leahy and Harry McGee to look back on the week in politics:Taoiseach Simon Harris's sure-footed performance as he delivered an apology to the Stardust tragedy victims.Less good was Minister for Justice Helen McEntee's appearance at an Oireachtas committee, where she struggled to answer a question about the State's handling of international protection applicants.Discussions about budget spending are starting early this year, a sign of the auction politics to come in the run-up to the general election.Plus the panel pick their Irish Times articles of the week:Justine McCarthy on the growing number of journalists becoming Government advisors.Finn McRedmond in defence of snobbery.And coverage of the dysfunction in University Hospital Limerick, as revealed by a coroner's report on the tragic death of teenager Aoife Johnston.Sign up for Politics push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phoneFind The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Niall discusses the events that unfolded at the protest in Newtown Mount Kennedy, where journalist Fatima Gunning from Gript Media was pepper-sprayed, and members of the public were manhandled by the gardaí when the riot squad was called in. Minister of Justice Helen McEntee and Taoiseach Simon Harris back Garda handling of protests at the site intended for use as accommodation for IP applicants.The discussion delves into the responses from both the police and the protesters. Niall also explores the broader context of public dissatisfaction with Irish immigration policy, drawing attention to the significant social tensions surrounding the issue. The episode offers a critical look at the state of democracy in Ireland and the increasing divide between the government and the people.Niall concludes by highlighting the urgent need for dialogue and understanding between the government and the public. He emphasizes the importance of addressing public dissatisfaction with immigration policies and calls for a more transparent and accountable approach from authorities.
In this episode, Niall discusses the events that unfolded at the protest in Newtown Mount Kennedy, where journalist Fatima Gunning from Gript Media was pepper-sprayed, and members of the public were manhandled by the gardaí when the riot squad was called in. Minister of Justice Helen McEntee and Taoiseach Simon Harris back Garda handling of protests at the site intended for use as accommodation for IP applicants.The discussion delves into the responses from both the police and the protesters. Niall also explores the broader context of public dissatisfaction with Irish immigration policy, drawing attention to the significant social tensions surrounding the issue. The episode offers a critical look at the state of democracy in Ireland and the increasing divide between the government and the people.Niall concludes by highlighting the urgent need for dialogue and understanding between the government and the public. He emphasizes the importance of addressing public dissatisfaction with immigration policies and calls for a more transparent and accountable approach from authorities.
Minister of Justice Helen McEntee has faced some criticism after being unable to give a clear answer to Independent Clare TD's Michael McNamara's question regarding the take back system for Asylum Seekers. Michael McNamara, Former Chair of the Oireachtas Covid Committee and Independent TD for Clare joins Kieran to discuss.
Paul Reynolds, Crime Correspondent, reports that Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has announced she will not attend the annual conference of the Garda Representative Association because Commissioner Drew Harris has not been invited.
The Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking in Brussels said it was his understanding that the Gardai would consider the outcome of the Stardust inquest today. He asked the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and the Attorney General to consider the recommendations of the inquest and the verdict. Minister Helen McEntee joined Cormac in studio.
After years of faltering starts and winding negotiations, the long-debated and highly contentious reform of EU asylum policy finally cleared the European Parliament yesterday. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee joins Shane to discuss.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee today announced a further €1 million for the development of Local Authority led CCTV schemes in specific communities. Speaking to Ciara this morning was Olga Cronin, Surveillance and Human Rights Senior Policy Officer with the Irish Council of Civil Liberties.
Services for children and young people in Clare who've experienced domestic violence are set for an expansion thanks to a Government funding boost. Following a targeted open call, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has awarded €6.3 million to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services nationwide, including just shy of €61,000 to women's protection service Clare Haven. A key goal of the recently commenced Third National Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Strategy is doubling the number of refuge spaces across the county to 280 and Clare is one of these counties where work is ongoing to deliver this. Director of Services at Clare Haven, Siobhan O'Connor, says this new funding will allow the organisation to grow its services geared towards young people who've fallen victim to abuse.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee spoke to Shane this morning to discuss new plans for asylum seekers.
A Clare publican has suggested extending pub and nightclub opening hours would give rise to more problems than solutions. The Government's Sale of Alcohol Bill, which was first tabled in 2020, would allow pubs to remain open 2:30am while nightclubs wouldn't have to close their doors until 6am. Although popular amongst some such as the nightlife lobby group Give Us The Night, the bill has drawn much controversy and Chief Medical Officer Breda Smyth has now written to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee calling for a Health Impact Assessment to be conducted. Owner of Durty Nelly's Bar and Restaurant in Bunratty, Maurice Walsh, believes extending the opening hours of pubs and clubs would put pressure on staff, Gardaí as well as the proprietors themselves.
A Clare sergeant is warning of an imminent surge in Garda resignations unless steps are taking to address a morale crisis within the force. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors' annual conference continues in Mayo today, where the group will be addressing Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. Among the key issues to be discussed will be improving entry level pay and pension entitlements for new Gardaí, mandatory sentences for assaults on Gardaí, as well as tackling verbal abuse in the field and unnecessary desk work. Clare AGSI Rep Ennis Detective Sergeant Brian Howard says there is a recruitment crisis.
We talk to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee on increased power for the Criminal Assets Bureau and the policing of anti-refugee protests.
Shane spoke to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to discuss the plans in relation to new reception centres and more.
Last November, after Josef Puska was sentenced to life for the murder of Aisling Murphy, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that the State needed more spaces in prisons.“If people want dangerous people locked up for a long time, we're going to need more room in our prisons,” the Taoiseach said. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee later confirmed plans for 600 additional spaces across four prison estates.But, not everyone agrees that building more prison cells is the answer.The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has repeatedly called for a reduction in the number of people being jailed, noting that nearly three quarters of committals in 2022 were for 12 months or less. “We need to see a shift to people getting more community service,” IPRT director Saoirse Brady told today's podcast. “I don't think that we require extra spaces. It's actually stated Government policy since August 2022 that we would reduce the number of people going to prison for 12 months or less.”Irish Times Crime and Security Editor Conor Lally also joins the podcast to discuss the pros and cons of building more spaces for inmates in Irish prisons.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has described the arson attack on a premises in Galway, which had been earmarked for asylum seekers, as an ‘absolutely disgraceful'.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee will be going before the Justice Committee later today. Speaking to Ciara this morning was Robbie Gallagher a Fianna Fail Senator and member of the Committee.
Last week's stabbing attack on primary school children and subsequent riot have left Dublin city shaken. One child and her after-school carer are still in a serious condition, as is the man who is suspected of attacking them. Street violence has left immigrants and city-centre workers fearful. And the political fallout is serious - especially for Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. Conor Gallagher and Pat Leahy report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Clare's Fine Gael Senator insists that Minister for Justice Helen McEntee is the best candidate to hold the position and ensure public safety. It comes as Sinn Féin is considering whether to put forward a motion of no confidence in the Minister, over what the party describes as a 'lack of foresight' and planning to prevent the Dublin riots. Since the events of Friday night, the government has allocated a further €4.4m to the Gardaí and is aiming to expedite legislation that would permit the use of facial recognition technology. Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway believes the opposition is simply using a major incident as a political football.
This week the Friday wrap panellists are joined by Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher to talk about how Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and the entire State apparatus will respond to unprecedented violence on Dublin's streets, encouraged by far-right activists, following the stabbing of several children outside a school on Thursday afternoon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this essential episode of, we delve into the critical topic of car seat safety for our littlest passengers. We unravel the complexities of choosing the right car seat, ensuring proper installation, and understanding the latest safety guidelines. We also sit down with Minister Helen McEntee, Ireland's Minister for Justice, to explore her career in politics, her parenting journey including her experience of being the first ever member of the cabinet to take maternity leave. Minister McEntee opens up about her multifaceted life, sharing anecdotes from her career trajectory and her relatively new role as a parent. She recounts the anticipation and the surprises that came with motherhood and candidly discusses the support system that stood by her as she navigated motherhood for the first and second times. In a frank exchange, Minister McEntee addresses the mixed reactions to her maternity leaves, shedding light on the current sentiments within the political sphere. She offers insights into how societal attitudes towards maternity leave and professional growth can be reshaped. Finally, Minister McEntee sends an empowering message to women and mothers aiming to enter politics or other demanding sectors, emphasizing the importance of representation and perseverance.
The Sallins Train Robbery in 1976 was one of the most audacious criminal acts ever in the State. The Dublin to Cork mail train, carrying £200,000, was robbed with the IRA (much later) claiming responsibility, but only after three innocent men had been jailed. The men were tried, convicted and imprisoned as part of a convoluted saga involving the non-jury Special Criminal Court, claims of physical assault, forced confessions and a finding by the court that injuries sustained while in custody by some of the men were self-inflicted. In recent days, four human rights groups have petitioned Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to establish a statutory inquiry into what they say is one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in modern Irish history. Patsy McGarry, Irish Times contributor and author of While Justice Slept: Nicky Kelly and the True Story Behind the Sallins Train Robbery, tells the story of the crime and the convictions, and says this call for an inquiry is just another in nearly 50 years of such calls; none of which have resulted in action. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
McEntee: 'Disgraceful scenes have no place in our democracy' Justice Minister has spoken to the Garda Commissioner and the Superintendent in Pearse Street about what she described as the 'disgraceful scenes' outside Leinster House yesterday. We speak to the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee
Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to discuss the big stories of the past few weeks: Is Minister for Media Catherine Martin at risk of seeming too passive in her handling of the RTÉ payments controversy? The Electoral Commission will shortly reveal new constituency boundaries, amounting to a new political landscape for voters and politicians to get to grips with. And politicians are extremely keen to see what it will mean for them. The issue of crime on city streets is a difficult one for politicians like Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to handle - especially when there is little agreement on what exactly, or how severe, the problem really is. An Irish Times report revealed that Ireland will provide weapons training to Ukrainian soldiers. The news has prompted questions about whether the plan violates military neutrality. Could the policy cause strife between the coalition partners? Thanks to everyone who got in touch about The Bertie Years. Tell us what political history you would like Inside Politics to cover next by emailing us at politicspodcast@irishtimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In a wide-ranging interview in today's Irish Times, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee talks about remarks critical of her taking maternity leave while in office, the stint by Cabinet colleague Simon Harris in her job and her future ambitions. And on today's podcast Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray listen back to excerpts from the interview and apply some political analysis.But first, Jack and Jen threaten to establish a new world order in the absence of Hugh Linehan and the rest of the politics team, before settling down into a discussion of RTE's terrible week, as the broadcaster's top brass endured grillings in front of two Oireachtas committees over secret payments to Ryan Tubridy. Has the management team been irreparably damaged by its association with the week's events? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.