Results 2,861-2,880 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Residency Permits. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That is an important point because in no sense can it be suggested that the current manner in which the nationality laws are being administered is encouraging illegal immigration. In regard to the current position, there are 46 staff currently assigned to the citizenship section of my Department——

Residency Permits. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——of whom 31 work full time and the remainder work various work-sharing patterns, which is a pattern in the modern public service.

Residency Permits. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The constant use of a 'phone to make inquiries in this matter simply delays the process further and at vast cost.

Residency Permits. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We are entitled as a State to process all citizenship applications.

Residency Permits. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is a privilege not a right.

Detention Centres. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Deputy Shatter for tabling this question because it allows me to outline the correct position. The Government is committed in the programme for Government to invest in the provision of appropriate detention facilities for young offenders. I take the opportunity to clarify that the Government's plans to develop new children detention school facilities do not amount to the development...

Detention Centres. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy has asked a number of questions and I will try to answer them in the time available to me. An expert group was established to plan for the redevelopment of the existing school facilities and the development of new facilities for older children. I am sure the Deputy is aware that some of the buildings at Oberstown require refurbishment, which is the first priority. I understand...

Detention Centres. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Final decisions have been made in terms of the capital allocations required to develop these facilities.

Detention Centres. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As part of the transfer from the Department of Education and Science to my Department, the necessary capital was secured to ensure that what is required by the under 18 group would be provided. That was not in place before the Government decision in 2006. Clearly detailed planning is required on the best utilisation of our sites and the appropriate facilities that may be required on them....

Garda Investigations. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Níl an Teachta anseo, I will proceed nevertheless.

Garda Investigations. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the allegations referred to were the subject of a comprehensive investigation by An Garda Síochána. An investigation file in this matter has been submitted to the law officers and directions are awaited. As the file is under consideration by the law officers, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Garda Investigations. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I understand the position, the investigation has not yet concluded and a file remains to be submitted to the law officers. That is the factual position. It is the responsibility of the Garda to investigate criminal complaints, to gather whatever evidence may be available and, where appropriate, to submit the file to the DPP, who then decides whether a person should be prosecuted on the...

Garda Investigations. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On completion of the investigation, a file will be submitted to the law officers. As the Garda investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Garda Investigations. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am sorry. I have inadvertently misled the House because I read the reply to a previous question. The Deputy is correct. The investigation file has been submitted to the law officers and we are at the stage where directions are required. I apologise to the Deputy.

Proposed Legislation. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It would be useful to clarify the terminology used in this area. Terms such as "spent conviction", "expunging of convictions" and "clean slate" are regularly used. A "clean slate" is considered to mean a wiping away of a criminal record. "Expunge" is similarly used to indicate the deletion of old convictions. "Spent conviction", however, indicates that the law allows people to decline to...

Proposed Legislation. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I agree with the Deputy that the matter requires attention. In the case of young persons under the age of 18, the Oireachtas has provided a regime of protection but, in the case of adults, a system of protection requires to be put in place. It is of particular importance because the Garda PULSE system has been in operation for a number of years and it provides more accurate criminal records...

Proposed Legislation. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That issue can be examined. The LRC report is still under examination in my Department and no final decision has been taken on the detail of legislation. However, I acknowledge the problem in this area, which requires to be addressed.

Drugs in Prisons. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In May 2006, my predecessor launched the Irish Prison Service drugs policy and strategy, entitled Keeping Drugs out of Prison. The implementation of this policy and strategy has seen an intensification of efforts to eliminate the availability of illicit drugs within prisons. A key part of these efforts is the introduction of mandatory drug testing, which is provided for under the prison...

Drugs in Prisons. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is also a detox programme in operation in Mountjoy. In addition, the training unit in Arbour Hill, Loughan House and Shelton Abbey are regarded as drug-free institutions.

Drugs in Prisons. (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy appears to be under a misapprehension. I have received no such professional advice. One of the first matters I brought to the Government as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was a comprehensive programme of measures to prevent the smuggling of drugs into prisons. Under the pilot drug detection dogs scheme, searching has been concentrated on visitors, but limited...