Results 4,101-4,120 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: An Garda Síochána currently delivers both Primary and Secondary School Programmes throughout the country which include a focus on drugs education. The Garda Secondary School Programme has been designed in conjunction with the Social Personal & Health Education (SPHE) syllabus of the Department of Education & Science. This SPHE syllabus supports the personal development, health and well...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In relation to the issue of the Criminal Asset Bureau's work at regional and local levels, I can inform the Deputy that in order to maximise the benefit that can be derived from local knowledge, officers from the Criminal Assets Bureau work closely with Gardai from specific regions and localities in order to ensure that the efforts of the Bureau are targeted in the most effective manner...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Insofar as my Department has responsibility in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputy, consultations are taking place with An Garda Síochána with a view to progressing this matter.

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 491 and 492 together. The Agreed Programme for Government contains commitments in relation to the use of divestitures and trusteeships in the fight against organised crime. As Minister, I am determined to take whatever steps are required to disrupt the activities of criminal gangs through the seizure of assets and the targeting of businesses and other...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Agreed Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish a Judicial Sentencing Commission. This matter is being considered in the context of the Judicial Council Bill under preparation. I stress, however, the independence, within the law, of the Judiciary and each member of the Judiciary in the matter of sentencing, as in other matters concerning the exercise of the judicial...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Section 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, as amended by the Criminal Justice Acts 1999 and 2006, provides for mandatory minimum sentence of not less than 10 years of imprisonment for individuals convicted of a first offence under section 15A — possession of drugs with a value of at least €13,000 for sale or supply — or 15B — importation of drugs with a value of at least €13,000...

Written Answers — Bail Regime: Bail Regime (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: New and stringent provisions in relation to bail were introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2007. These included a requirement that applicants for bail may have to provide a statement of their means, their previous criminal record and details of any offences committed while previously on bail. The Act also provides that a Garda Superintendent may give an opinion that bail should be refused...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The commitments in the Programme for Government 2007-12 to which the question refers are under consideration. The question of giving the DPP the power to seek a review of unduly lenient sentences handed down in the District Court was examined by the Law Reform Commission in its report on prosecution appeals and pre-trial hearings (LRC 81-2006). The LRC decided that in principle such...

Written Answers — Court Procedures: Court Procedures (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 497 to 499, inclusive, together. The Deputy's Questions refer to Government commitments regarding the conduct of and procedures relating to criminal trials. The issues raised by these commitments were considered by the Balance in the Criminal Law Review Group, chaired by Dr. Gerard Hogan SC, which reported in March 2007 to the then Minister for Justice,...

Written Answers — Victim Support: Victim Support (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: My predecessor, Michael McDowell, appointed the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime for a three-year period with effect from March 2005. The Commission was tasked with devising an appropriate support framework for victims into the future. In this regard, the Commission has over the past 3 years been in contact with the major stakeholders with a view to embodying their opinions in...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The current procedure used by the Garda Síochána, which was introduced following advice from the Law Officers, involves each participant in an identity parade being assigned a number. To ensure there is no doubt as to the person the victim or witness has identified, it is necessary that a clear identification is made. This may be done in a number of ways, including pointing at or stating...

Written Answers — Criminal Injuries Compensation Board: Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 502 and 503 together. I can inform the Deputy that a new Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal was appointed in September of last year. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme provides an accessible and independent means by which the victims of violent crime can receive financial compensation for any out of pocket expenses arising as a result of that...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted in certain circumstances for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the Judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. An applicant must establish to the satisfaction of the court that his/her means are insufficient to enable...

Written Answers — Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Government's commitment to tackling domestic violence was reflected in the establishment in June 2007 of Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. Cosc's key responsibility is to ensure the delivery of a well co-ordinated "whole of Government" response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Cosc's major priority is to produce a...

Written Answers — Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Following a Government Decision, Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence was set up in June 2007 with the key responsibility is to ensure the delivery of a well co-ordinated "whole of Government" response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. As part of its remit, Cosc facilitates the development of strategies and services in...

Written Answers — Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that as part of Student / Probationer training all members of An Garda Síochána receive training to prepare for and assist them in the investigation of incidents relating to domestic violence. They receive this in two modules, namely Social and Psychological studies and Legal and Policing studies. Additional training is provided as part of...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 508 and 513 together. There are a range of mechanisms in place for the assessment and monitoring of this group of offenders. The Sex Offenders Act 2001 which commenced on 27 September 2001, makes provision, under Part 5, for the Courts to impose a post release supervision Order which obliges the convicted person to undergo supervision by the Probation Service...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Work on the preparation of a Sexual Offences Bill is at an advanced stage of preparation in my Department. The legislation will include changes to the Sex Offenders Act 2001 with regard to the notification requirements for sex offenders. It is hoped to publish the General Scheme of the Bill before the summer.

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that the Legal Aid Board provides legal advice to complainants in a prosecution for a defined range of categories of sexual assault, including rape. At present a means test applies in respect of access to this service but an amendment contained in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006, currently before the Seanad, removes this test. In addition, legal...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Section 12 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 makes it an offence for a person to intentionally or recklessly administer to, or cause another to take, a substance which he or she knows to be capable of interfering substantially with the other person's bodily functions and where he or she knows the person does not consent to what is being done. Section 12(2) of that Act...