The Irish American Business Chamber & Network is thrilled to join the Irish Immigration Center and Consul General of Ireland Barbara Jones in welcoming newly elected Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Justice and Equality, to Philadelphia.
Ms. Frances Fitzgerald was re-elected as TD for Dublin Mid-West in February 2016. She was appointed as Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality on the 6th May 2016.
She served as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and Minister for Justice and Equality in the last Government.
As an experienced national politician, Frances has both the knowledge and experience to best represent the people of Dublin Mid-West at national level.
Since taking office, as Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances has been actively involved in delivering the Government’s comprehensive programme of justice reform which includes the planned establishment of a new independent Policing Authority; the appointment of the Garda Commissioner by open competition and the enactment of new legislation to reform and strengthen the role and remit and operation of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. In 2014, Frances oversaw recommencement of Garda recruitment for the first time since 2009 and Frances has overseen a substantial increase in investment in vehicles to ensure Gardai can be mobile, responsive and visible in the community.
In 2015 Frances introduced legislation for the holding of the Marriage Equality referendum. On May 23rd, Ireland became the first country in the world to vote in a referendum to introduce an equal right to civil marriage for same-sex couples.
Frances has overseen the enactment of a number of pieces of legislation, including the Children and Family Relationships Act which provides for the most comprehensive reform of family law since the foundation of the State.
