Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Ireland)
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The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform (An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí) is a department of the Irish government. It is led by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who is assisted by two Ministers of State. The Department's mission is to maintain and enhance community security, equality and law and order in Ireland.
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[edit] Departmental Team
- Tanaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform: Michael McDowell, TD
- Minister of State for Equality Issues: Frank Fahey, TD
- Minister of State for Children: Brian Lenihan, Jr, TD
[edit] Overview
The mission of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is to maintain and enhance community security and equality through the development of a range of policies and high quality services which underpin:
- the protection and assertion of human rights and fundamental freedoms consistent with the common good
- the security of the State
- an effective and balanced approach to tackling crime
- progress towards the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of equal opportunities and the accommodation of diversity.
The official headquarters and Ministerial offices of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform are in 94 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. The current title of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform was created in 1997 when the Department of Justice was amalgamated with that of the Department of Equality and Law Reform. Over the years its name has changed several times, however, the role of the Department has remained the same. The Department was known as the following:
- Department of Home Affairs 1919-1923
- Department of Justice 1923-1997
- Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform 1997-present
[edit] Responsibilities
The Department's main areas of responsibility include:
- Implementing Government policy on crime and protecting the security of the State.
- Providing policy advice in relation to the criminal justice system (An Garda Síochána, the Courts, Prisons and Probation and Welfare Services) and supporting the operation of this system.
Continuing reform of the criminal law and updating areas of the civil law.
- Playing a central part in the implementation of core elements in the Good Friday Agreement.
- Co-operating in the EU and international fields and promoting Ireland's interests within our areas of responsibility.
- Implementing the Government's asylum strategy and further developing national immigration policy.
- Developing and implementing policy in relation to equal treatment generally, anti-racism, disability equality, human rights and childcare.
