Results 2,901-2,920 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 136 together. The current status of the Thornton Hall Prison project is as follows. Negotiations are currently underway with a preferred bidder, who was selected following an EU public tender procedure in relation to the construction and maintenance of the prison complex at the Thornton Hall site. It is intended that these facilities will provide a...

Written Answers — Firearms Offences: Firearms Offences (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 142 together. The stated objective of the European Union is to develop a comprehensive migration policy which covers both legal and illegal migration. The Deputy will find a statement of the Commission's current priorities in combating illegal immigration of third-country nationals in Commission document COM (2006) 402. The Communication addresses...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On 30th June 2007 (the latest date for which Community Policing figures are readily available), the total personnel strength of An Garda Síochána was 13,361. The total personnel strength attached to Community Policing at that time was 565. This represents a percentage of 4.22% of the total strength of the Force. Of course community policing involves more than a single unit within An...

Written Answers — Garda Management: Garda Management (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 174 together. The interim and final reports of the Advisory Group on Garda Management and Leadership Development contain many excellent recommendations on how management of the force can be further improved. I am very grateful to Dr. Maurice Hayes and the other members of the group for bringing their expertise from business, academic and public...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to priority Question No. 97 of today's date.

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I can inform the Deputy that in 1998 the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. John O'Donoghue, T.D., following a Government decision, set up an expert group to examine the Probation Service under the chairmanship of Mr. Brian McCarthy. This group produced its first report in November 1998. The final report of the Group was published in May 1999 and made several...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 450 together. Part 11 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which provides for civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults, was commenced on 1 January, 2007. Part 13 of the Act relating to anti-social behaviour by children was commenced on 1 March, 2007. These provisions set out an incremental procedure for addressing anti-social...

Written Answers — Criminal Proceedings: Criminal Proceedings (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will be aware that the Agreed Programme for Government contains a commitment to allow the Director of Public Prosecutions to make submissions at the sentencing stage in criminal cases. In considering how to proceed with this issue, we are fortunate to have the Report of the Review Group on the Balance in the Criminal Law, which was chaired by Dr Gerard Hogan, SC and which was...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy points, out the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime Annual Drug Report 2007 identifies that the level of heroin production in Afghanistan significantly increased in 2006 and that the consumption of cocaine grew in Europe last year. The Government views with concern such global developments and any potential rise in the level of any illegal drugs being trafficked into this...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The person in question was arrested around midday on 2 June 2005 in relation to the theft of a motor vehicle and taken to Store Street Garda Station, Dublin. He was found hanging in his cell later that afternoon. He was removed to hospital where he died a little more than three months later. A Detective Superintendent from outside the relevant Garda Division was appointed immediately after...

Written Answers — Garda Interview Records: Garda Interview Records (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I would direct the Deputy's attention to section 56 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 which was commenced on 18 May 2007, which restricts the availability of Garda interview recordings.

Written Answers — Housing Management Companies: Housing Management Companies (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133, 191 and 198 together. Property management companies are legal entities incorporated under company law and are subject to its provisions. In December last, the Law Reform Commission published a Consultation Paper on Multi-Unit Developments which drew attention to a broad range of issues arising in relation to the governance and operation of such...

Written Answers — Prison Drug Treatment Services: Prison Drug Treatment Services (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Irish Prison Service continues to work to implement the commitments contained in its Drugs Policy & Strategy, entitled Keeping Drugs Out of Prisons, which was launched last year. Working to fulfil these commitments involves the implementation of stringent measures to prevent drugs from getting into prisons while, at the same time, continuing to invest in services within prisons to reduce...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: At its meeting on 12-13 June, 2007 the Council of the European Union reached an agreement on a general approach on a proposal for a Council Framework Decision on the organisation and content of the exchange of information extracted from criminal records between Member States. Discussions are ongoing with a view to formal adoption of the Framework Decision as soon as possible. This agreement...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 186 together. The following table shows the number of murders recorded, detected, proceedings commenced and convictions which involved the use of a firearm for the years 1998 to 2006 and in 2007. The number of murders recorded, detected, proceedings commenced and convictions in which a firearm was used for the years 1998 to 2006 and in 2007 up to 3...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Three senior analysts were recently recruited forming the management team for the Garda Síochána Analysis Service (G.S.A.S.). A substantial body of work is underway in order to select suitable staff; develop training needs; and service all of the information technology and infrastructural requirements of the analysis function. The structure of the analysis function and deployment of...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The reprehensible gun attack on Garda Paul Sherlock last week was a stark reminder of the dangers facing members of the Garda Síochána as they go about their daily task of protecting us all. An extensive investigation team has been assembled comprising Gardaí attached to the DMR North Central Garda Division and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, supported by members from Crime...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Board: Garda Complaints Board (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Siochana Complaints Board Annual Report for the year 2006 has been considered by the Garda Commissioner and his senior management team and its recommendations will inform policy in the relevant areas. The Deputy raises two separate issues one of which relates to an alleged lack of action on the part of the Commissioner in relation to...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In 2005 the Garda Síochána Admissions and Appointments Regulations 1988 were amended to remove the requirement to hold a qualification in both Irish and English in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent and was replaced with a requirement to hold a qualification in two languages, at least one of which must be Irish or English. In addition the amendment provided that entry to An Garda...