Results 2,961-2,980 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Witness Intimidation: Witness Intimidation (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Witness Security Programme was established in 1997 under the direct operational control and administration of the Garda Commissioner in response to attempts by criminal and other groups to prevent the normal functioning of the criminal justice system, including threats of violence and systematic intimidation of witnesses. The Programme has been demonstrably successful and it has withstood...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is a significant ongoing programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda stations and other Garda accommodation around the country. The Garda Building Programme is based on agreed priorities which are established by An Garda Síochána. The programme is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department's Decentralisation Programme is firmly on target. Under the Programme, over 900 posts from my Department and its agencies are scheduled to relocate to seven provincial locations. To date, over 400 assignments have been made and it is anticipated that close to 500 posts will have moved out of Dublin by the end of this year. With over two...

Written Answers — Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal: Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 439 together. I can inform the Deputies that I have recently appointed a new Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal for the period ending 30 April 2010. The membership of the new tribunal is as follows: Ms. Sinéad Behan, BL (Chairperson); Mr. Conor Bowman, BL; Ms. Fiona Gallagher, BL; Mr. Michael Gilvarry, BL; Ms. Rosemary Healy Rae, BL; Mr. Eamon...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Strong provisions are already in place to combat anti-social behaviour. The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 modernised the law in this regard. The Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 contains provisions to deal with alcohol abuse and its effect on public order. The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003 provides the Garda with powers to deal with late night street violence and...

Written Answers — Inspector of Prisons: Inspector of Prisons (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The appointment of a new Inspector of Prisons is under active consideration and an announcement will be made in due course.

Written Answers — Parental Rights: Parental Rights (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 196 and 449 together. Existing legislation already makes extensive provision for unmarried fathers with respect to their children. Under the law as it stands — section 6A of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, as inserted by section 12 of the Status of Children Act 1987 — an unmarried father may apply to the court to be appointed a guardian of his...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including decisions on accommodation requirements, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in accordance with his identified operational requirements. In the case of Garda buildings such decisions are taken in co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW) — the body in which ownership of the majority of the properties is vested. I am...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy is aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT) which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. Two types of processing caseloads exist in the ORAC...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: 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 October Year Recorded Detected Proceeding Commenced...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Immigration Act 2004 was enacted for the stated purpose of making provision, in the interest of the common good, for the control of entry into the State, the duration and condition of stay in the State and obligations while in the State of non-Irish nationals. The Act of 2004 makes provision for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to appoint "such and so many persons as he...

Written Answers — Paternity Leave: Paternity Leave (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume the Deputy is enquiring about paternity leave rights of married and unmarried fathers. I have no objection in principle to the introduction of a statutory entitlement to a short period of paternity leave. However, I take the view that securing consensus among the social partners is a crucial element before doing so. The Agreed Programme for Government includes a commitment to...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: EU citizens have the right to move to and reside in Ireland as set out in the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) (No. 2) Regulations 2006. Their non-EEA spouses would be entitled to apply for permission to remain in the State with the EU citizens and provided that evidence of the marriage is submitted with the application (there are also provisions relating to durable...

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The current capacity of Shelton Abbey is for 54 prisoners. However, the accommodation is dormitory accommodation which caters for 4 to 6 males in each room. Clearly this type of accommodation is not ideal in 2007. A new unit has recently been completed which has 44 single spaces. The additional accommodation being provided will facilitate the refurbishment and modernisation of the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that following a review of the application for residence in the State based on EU Treaty Rights a decision has recently issued to the person concerned. The person concerned did not meet the criteria for eligibility for residence in the State in accordance with Regulation 3(2) SI 656/2006 European Communities (Free Movement of Persons)...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in February 2005. Officials in that section are currently processing applications received at the beginning of 2005 and have approximately 400 applications on hand to be dealt with before that of the person concerned. These are...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that following a review of the application for residence in the State based on EU Treaty Rights a decision has recently issued to the person concerned. The person concerned did not meet the criteria for eligibility for residence in the State in accordance with Regulation 3(2) SI 656/2006 European Communities (Free Movement of Persons)...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: EU citizens and their non-EEA family members who have the right to reside in Ireland under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) (No. 2) Regulations 2006 (SI No. 656 of 2006) have far more extensive rights than those accruing to non-EEA spouses of migrant workers. Under the Regulations the rights of those EU citizens and their non-EEA family members are the same as those of...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 258 of 31 January 2007. The position remains as stated.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of the annual policing plan, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that as part of the plans for the renovation of Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station, Mountjoy...