Results 7,801-7,820 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Defence Forces Personnel (21 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: I realise there is no independent medical board to which he can appeal because the appeal board is convened by the Naval Service. How many other similar cases are there? This man has experience in the Naval Service. He is keen to continue serving and has made a life choice to dedicate his life to the Defence Forces. Unfortunately, he fell sick in 2009 but since 2010 he has had only had...

Defence Forces Personnel (21 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: I thank the Minister and I will pass on the information. As regards operational issues, in his latest report of June 2010 the potential for promotion for the person concerned was deemed above average as was his overall performance and there is no operational reason he cannot remain.

Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Bill 2011: First Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Human Rights Commission Act 2000.

Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Bill 2011: First Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Written Answers — Departments Bodies: Departments Bodies (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: Question 81: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to widen the consultation process concerning the merger of the Equality Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission, beyond the current boards of both bodies to allow wider civil society stakeholder groups to contribute their views to this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24734/11]

Written Answers — Commissioners for Oaths: Commissioners for Oaths (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: Question 418: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will supply a list of registered Commissioners for Oaths for Cork City from 1987 to 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25039/11]

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: Question 452: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a person will be placed in charge of the adoption files at a location (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25041/11]

Garda Operations (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: That is not what I was suggesting. I am suggesting that, when considering the roll-out of the civilianisation process, we give special attention to those Garda districts which contain prisons. We should consider freeing up as many gardaí as possible in order that we do not compromise either on the transport of prisoners or the service provided for communities in terms of response times....

Garda Vetting Service (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: The Minister mentioned other measures were being considered to improve waiting times. Can he give us more information on what these are?

Garda Vetting Service (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: Is there a facility for people who have urgent requests for vetting? I know of one case in which a guy needed Garda clearance to get a visa. Can we consider urgent applications on a case-by-case basis?

Garda Strength (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: Question 54: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who have applied to take early retirement within the next six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24926/11]

Garda Strength (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: It is a tough start to a tough week for the Minister. While we do not yet have a final figure for the number of proposed retirements from the Garda, we know it will include some chief superintendents and probably superintendents. I realise that earlier this year the Minister gave permission to the Garda Commissioner to run what are known as promotion competitions in all ranks within the...

Courts Service (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: Question 57: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline on the proposed upgrade of the ICT system for the courts as well as the appointment of approved persons as receivers in order to introduce the remaining sections of the Fines Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24927/11]

Courts Service (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: The Minister referred to section 14 in saying people who were unable to pay fines should not be going to prison, but, unfortunately, he knows as well as I do that that is not the case. It is unfortunate that implementation will take so long. What is the cost of introducing this system? Section 14 requires judges to take people's financial circumstances into account. As the Minister said,...

Courts Service (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: I accept what the Minister said about undermining the justice system, but it also undermines this House when we pass legislation and fail to put in place the finance to implement it. That is regrettable and should not happen again.

Prison Inspection Reports (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: I welcome the fact that work has started on the procedures and rules relating to investigating deaths in custody. If the Minister has further information on that work I would appreciate his giving it to the House. For example, when can we expect those procedures and rules to be implemented? One of Judge Reilly's recommendations was that prison governors would, by the end of June last,...

Crime Prevention (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: With the proposed reduction in numbers, this brings into focus the role of the community in tackling drug addiction, drug abuse and drug dealing. The Minister touched on it when he spoke about the role of the joint policing committees and the local policing forums. They certainly have the capacity to contribute to a solution, but I think we need to look at their current role and maybe give...

Crime Prevention (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: I welcome the commitment given by the Minister. It is important to review how the committees are working because, as the Minister stated, in some areas they are working better than in others. Will the Minister give a commitment that the so-called dial to stop drug dealing hotline will be funded throughout next year?

Garda Operations (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: Question 62: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the average response times for callouts by the gardaí in each district within the Cork City division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24736/11]

Garda Operations (20 Sep 2011)

Jonathan O'Brien: The Minister's response raises two questions. Given the unavailability of response times, how can one judge whether they are sufficiently quick? If one does not record response times, how does one determine whether they are improving? Last night, I attended a successful meeting of my local policing forum attended by approximately 180 people. I was struck by a comment by the superintendent...