Results 3,441-3,460 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Safety Camera System: Safety Camera System (6 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 to 489, inclusive, together. In accordance with EU Directives, national public procurement procedures and relevant legislation, a Request for Information (RFI) for the provision and operation of safety cameras on behalf of An Garda Síochána was published on the Government's procurement website on 24 November, 2006. Following the evaluation of the...

Crime Levels (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The number of murders is a matter of concern to me and the Government. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that 57 murders have been recorded to date in 2007, whereas 60 murders were recorded in 2006 as a whole. I have also been informed that 35 of this year's murders have been detected, which corresponds to a detection rate of 61%. Some 36 of the murders which took place in 2006...

Crime Levels (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I would like to speak about the resources that have been allocated to deal with serious crime. The Garda budget for this year is €1.44 billion, compared with just over €900 million five years ago. Garda overtime will cost approximately €140 million this year.

Crime Levels (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A great deal of that money is being spent as part of Operation Anvil, under which the relentless pressure advocated by Deputy Flanagan is being placed on criminal gangs. The events of recent days show that results can be obtained if patience is exercised. Such results are being obtained by the Garda. I would like to speak about the steps being taken by the Garda to combat the growth of...

Crime Levels (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The other matters are down for reply under separate questions.

Crime Levels (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy referred to the Civil War in his question.

Crime Levels (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The provisional headline crime figures for the third quarter of 2007, which were released by the Central Statistics Office recently, show that there was no increase in headline crime in the 12-month period to 30 September last. This positive outcome has been achieved despite the continuing steady rise in the population over that period. There was an increase of 2.8% in headline crime in the...

Crime Levels (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I readily accept that anti-social behaviour can make a person's life a misery. One of the priorities in dealing with anti-social behaviour is the need to address alcohol-related behaviour. I have set this priority out in my policing priorities for 2008. The Garda Síochána will drive forward the establishment of inter-agency activities working with the local authorities against...

Victim Impact Statements. (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 41 and 50 together.

Victim Impact Statements. (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I apologise to the House. Victim impact statements are among the most effective mechanisms available to ensure the interests and concerns of the victims of crime are brought to bear on the criminal justice process. As section 5 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 puts it, the court, before passing sentence, is required to take into account any effect, whether long term or otherwise, of the...

Victim Impact Statements. (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I indicated that I preferred not to comment on the matter at the time of the controversy and I welcome Deputy Flanagan's tabling of this question. I do not propose to introduce legislation which will penalise a victim in any way. I understand the reason for Ms Justice Macken raising that possibility but I am not disposed to doing that. An examination is being conducted of two of the legal...

Victim Impact Statements. (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That would require legislation because any interference with the publicity of the administration of justice has to be specified in legislation. It is clear that were we to give the trial judge power to direct the reporters not to publish particular material which a victim put before a court and which the judge believed would be inappropriate, having regard to his or her sentencing function,...

Family Law Courts. (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Last week, I welcomed the publication of the report of the family law reporting pilot project undertaken by Dr. Carol Coulter at the request of the Courts Service. This project has made a major contribution to our knowledge of the operation of family law in the courts. It has shed much needed light on the family law area and has assisted in debunking many of the myths prevalent in this area,...

Family Law Courts. (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In regard to the question of family law division the current practical arrangement in the Dublin Circuit Court is that for all practical purposes there is a family law list administered by a number of judges. The Circuit Courts outside Dublin do not have a similar dedicated list which is heard by a group of judges or by a judge sitting alone exclusively dedicating himself or herself to...

Family Law Courts. (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On that issue, it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual decisions or even the trend of decisions in the courts but I believe the publicity thrown on these matters by this report will be helpful in addressing the concerns raised. In regard to costs I am happy to say that mediation is important in these matters.

Asylum Applications. (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The question appears to imply that asylum seekers are not free to leave state accommodation centres. That is not so. Asylum seekers are not prisoners. They are free to leave such centres, or opt not to avail of the facilities that lie therein from their day of arrival in the state. However, there is an obligation on asylum seekers to keep the relevant authorities, namely, the Refugee...

Asylum Applications. (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In regard to deportation orders, the Garda National Immigration Bureau enforces these orders and has carriage of this matter and seeks to apprehend these individuals. Flights out of the State are arranged at regular intervals. Persons are apprehended for the purposes of deportation and they are deported. That is how deportation arrangements take place. The Deputy will appreciate that in a...

Asylum Applications. (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I do not accept the whole thing is a sham or that we do not know. We are part of a common travel area with Great Britain and because of that there is a substantial amount of movement between both jurisdictions on which we are doing much study at present. It is clear that quite a number of the unaccounted for asylum seekers are in other jurisdictions. The Deputy is aware that trafficking...

Garda Investigations. (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation into the murders referred to is ongoing. A dedicated investigation team of 40 officers is being assisted by specialist units from Garda national support services, including the national bureau of criminal investigation and the Garda technical bureau. The investigation includes taking statements from witnesses, viewing CCTV...

Garda Investigations. (7 Nov 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy has asked a number of questions. Of course it is a matter of concern that detection rates are not higher in crimes of the character to which he referred. However, it is the case and the Garda intelligence suggests that a number of those involved in the commission of these crimes have been apprehended, charged and convicted on other charges and are now in detention. If we are to...