Weekly Roundup October 19th - 23rd

Every week, we bring you the top news stories of the week from the Department of Justice and Equality. Catch up on what you might have missed here. Click on the 'Read More' link in each story to learn more.  For previous editions click here. 
 

Garda Building & Refurbishment Programme 2016 – 2021

Minister Fitzgerald and Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, Simon Harris, announced details of the Garda Building & Refurbishment Programme 2016 – 2021. The Ministers were joined in Athlone Garda Station by Ms. Nóirín O'Sullivan, Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, and Ms. Clare McGrath, Chairman of the Commissioners of Public Works. The programme of investment is to include over €60 million of Exchequer funding as well as a major Public Private Partnership project. 30 locations around the country will benefit from new projects. Read more

Minister Frances Fitzgerald, Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan and Minister Simon Harris view plans for Athlone Garda Station which will benefit from a refurbishment and extension as part of the Programme.

Map indicating locations to benefit from Capital Investment via the Garda Building & Refurbishment Programme, 2016-2021
 

Minister Fitzgerald announces additional allocation of €5.3 million for a further 260 new Garda vehicles

On Tuesday, Minister Frances Fitzgerald announced the allocation of a further €5.3 million to An Garda Síochána for the purchase of 260 vehicles between now and the end of the year. This investment will support Gardaí to carry-out more visible and responsive patrols of motorways and rural communities; increased surveillance of criminal gangs; and enhanced night-time public order policing. Read More. ​

 

 

Marriage Bill 2015 is passed by the Oireachtas

The Marriage Bill was debated in the Seanad this week, and on Thursday 22nd October, passed its final stage in the Oireachtas. Both the Minister and the Department publicly acknowledged the great work of our colleagues in Civil Law Reform Division on this Bill. You can read Minister Fitzgerald's second stage Seanad speech here.

Ministers publish Roadmap to Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Ministers Fitzgerald and Ó Ríordáin have published a roadmap to Ireland’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which outlines legislative changes to be undertaken to enable Ireland to ratify the Convention, along with the estimated timeframe involved.  Read more 

Fireworks Information Notice 

In the run up to Halloween, the Department published its Fireworks Information Notice. Read more. 

And finally...

One of the more obscure responsibilities held by our Department is announcing winter and summer time. Reminding everyone to turn their clocks back an hour gave us the opportunity for a bit of fun on Twitter, as we heralded the start of winter time with a little help from Doc Brown and the Rolling Stones.

 

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