Results 2,841-2,860 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Private Residential Tenancies Board: Private Residential Tenancies Board (4 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I wish to inform the Deputy that I have no responsibility for the matters referred to in his question.

Written Answers — Irish Sign Language: Irish Sign Language (4 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have no role in relation to the recognition of official languages in Ireland.

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (4 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Garda Síochána Uniform and the wearing of any items of clothing as part of that Uniform, for either the full time Force or the Reserve, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. There have been consultations between the Sikh community and the Garda authorities on this matter and the Garda Commissioner's official statement, which explains his position, is available on www.garda.ie.

Seanad: Coroners Bill 2007: Second Stage (4 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am pleased to have this opportunity to introduce the Coroners Bill 2007 and to outline its main provisions. The Bill provides for a fundamental change and improvement to the coronial death investigation process in Ireland. The comprehensive reform measures proposed will transform the existing legislation — the Coroners Act 1962 — and structures which govern the work of the coroner and...

Seanad: Coroners Bill 2007: Second Stage (4 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Senators on all sides of the House for the broad welcome they gave this measure. Many good points were made, and they can be made again on Committee Stage. I propose to examine with care what the Senators have said between now and Committee Stage, and investigate how the concerns of different Senators, although some of them were conflicting, may be addressed. In a sense, the whole...

Garda Strength. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Last week in a lengthy debate in this House on tackling crime I made the point that the Government has a duty to vindicate the rights of citizens to enjoy their lives and their property peaceably. I repeat the assurance I gave to the House that this Government will never be found wanting in taking whatever measures can reasonably be taken to tackle crime. I also said it is my intention to...

Garda Strength. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I agree technology resources continue to be an essential tool in supporting the gardaí in their day to day work. I am determined the gardaí will have access to state of the art technology in carrying out their duties. In particular, the Garda Síochána will deploy the latest technology to enhance its capability to effectively tackle gangland crime. A new national digital radio system is...

Garda Strength. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I do not accept that the Garda is under-resourced — this is not at the heart of the difficulties we are facing — and I do not accept my discussions with the Garda Commissioner are stage managed. As a matter of necessity, every Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform must liaise constantly with the Commissioner. As late as yesterday, the Commissioner assured me he has sufficient...

Proposed Legislation. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is important at the outset to distinguish between the respective roles and functions of property management companies and property management agents. Property management agents undertake property-related services under contract for the property management companies which comprise the residents in multi-unit developments. Since they provide property services, property management agents,...

Proposed Legislation. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I can give the Deputy more assurance than he realises. I drew attention to the distinction between the agents and the companies because separate legislation is required to deal with each of those categories. In respect of agents, the legislation is not restricted simply to transferring the jurisdiction of the District Court to the new authority. The forthcoming legislation will go far...

Proposed Legislation. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The legislation in respect of agents and auctioneers will be published early next year. I propose to proceed with that legislation with dispatch. I agree with Deputy Rabbitte that there have been abuses in this area. There has been a lack of regulation of the agents who provide the services and the traditional model of company law which applies to these companies is not appropriate to the...

Recidivism Rate. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assure the Deputy that I attach the highest importance to addressing and reducing the rate of repeat offending and recidivism. My Department commissioned the first major study of prisoner re-offending from the UCD Institute of Criminology, the results of which were published in December 2006. The study found that 27.4% of released prisoners were serving a new prison sentence within one...

Recidivism Rate. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is no revolving door system in our prisons. People serve their sentences as prescribed by law.

Recidivism Rate. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The last time there was a revolving door system, the Deputy's party was in Government. That is a fact. A great deal is being done about these matters in the prisons. It is not correct to state that the vast majority of our prisoners are petty criminals. People are committed to prison for the commission of many different types of offence. Our record of committing individuals to prison is...

Recidivism Rate. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will examine the option proposed by the Deputy.

Residency Permits. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I take it that Deputy Naughten's question refers to the processing of immigration and residence applications in so far as permission to remain in the State is concerned. There is a broad mix of applications for permission to remain in the State that range from student conditions, work permit conditions, visitor conditions, dependant family members, marriage to an Irish national, EU treaty...

Residency Permits. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Deputy Naughten raised several matters and I will take them in turn. I am delighted to deal with the question of citizenship which was not asked in his question. The question dealt with residency and immigration which do not of themselves guarantee Irish citizenship. Citizenship rests in my discretion as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It is a privilege to be made a citizen...

Residency Permits. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The applications are processed in a manner which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure it is not undervalued and given only to persons who satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria. On average, the processing time is 30 months. This is primarily due to the significant increase in the volume of applications received in recent years. Generally, such applications are dealt...

Residency Permits. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A total of 46 staff work on this, 31 of whom work full-time.

Residency Permits. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy referred to the danger of illegal immigration here. Many countries have a much longer residential period specified for the acquisition of nationality than this jurisdiction.