Results 4,201-4,220 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the replies to Question No. 567 of 17 April 2008 and Question No. 526 of 20 May 2008. I have been informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that permission to remain is only granted for periods of time spent in the State and that if the person referred to in the Deputy's Question wishes to leave the State for medical attention, he may do so. If he wishes to...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: 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 September 2007. Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, specifies certain conditions which an applicant must fulfil in order to be eligible to apply for naturalisation. One such condition is that...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have been advised by the Garda authorities that a review of Garda accommodation is now underway with a view to preparing a short and longer term strategy for all accommodation. It is planned to have this strategy completed by the end of 2008 and Glenmore Garda Station will be taken fully into account as part of this review.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Acts 2005 to 2007 proposals, inter alia, to alter the boundaries of a divisional geographical area are a matter in the first instance for the Garda Commissioner in the context of the Annual Policing Plan. The 2008 Policing Plan contains the Commissioner's proposals to realign Garda boundaries in a number of areas around the country to...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Following the submission 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 dedicated...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 18 on 17 April 2008 on the matter. I expect to bring proposals for a scheme of a Civil Partnership Bill to Government shortly.

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Procedures: Garda Vetting Procedures (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for a number of organisations in Ireland which are registered with the GCVU and which employ people to work with children and/or vulnerable adults. In respect of vetting applications which contain addresses in Northern Ireland a reciprocal arrangement is in place with the Police...

Written Answers — Legal Proceedings: Legal Proceedings (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I understand that the person to whom the Deputy refers has commenced a legal action in this matter. As the case is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.

Written Answers — Firearms Controls: Firearms Controls (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The regime which applies to any such device depends on the muzzle energy. Section 1 of the Firearms Act, 1925 (as amended by Section 26 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006) provides that devices with a muzzle energy less than or equal to 1 joule do not fall within the definition of a firearm and consequently do not come within the firearms licensing regime. I have no proposals at present for a...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: There are 302 civil servants in my Department in administrative grades at Assistant Principal or higher level. Under the current Social Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016, two in every nine vacancies at Principal Officer level, and one in every five vacancies at Assistant Principal level, are required to be filled by open recruitment. Eligible serving civil servants are, of course,...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will recall the details he requested were not available in the timeframe available and I undertook to write to him directly when the information was to hand. The response issued on 22 May 2008.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of ongoing problems of public disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area concerned. I am further informed that the location referred to is in the Bridewell Garda sub-District and is patrolled by foot and mobile patrols from that Garda station. Members of the local Community Policing Unit allocated to this area...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The person in question applied for a certificate of naturalisation in July 2005. My predecessor approved her application and the person concerned was informed of this by letter dated 27 March 2008. However, as a result of an administrative error, the wrong statutory fee was requested. A further letter, requesting the correct fee of €634.87, issued on 14 May 2008. The application will be...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Long term residency was introduced by way of an administrative scheme in May 2004. The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 218 of Wednesday 9 April 2008 and the written reply to that question. The person concerned arrived in the State on 3 December 2005 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in...

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Protection of children from the inappropriate use of multimedia activities is a very broad and encompassing term, but I take it that the Deputy is referring particularly to the internet, video games and mobile phones. I have no function in the regulation of broadcast media or phones but I can inform him as to the child protection arrangements in place in respect of a number of other media...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 30 April 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 8 members of An Garda Síochána assigned to community policing duties in the Mayo Division, four (4) in Ballina and four (4) in Castlebar. There were also 2 Juvenile Liaison Officers attached to the Mayo Division based in Ballina and Castlebar Garda stations....

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: 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 May 2007. Officials in that Section are currently processing applications received in late 2005 and have approximately 10,500 applications on hand to be dealt with before that of the person concerned. These are generally dealt...

Written Answers — Bench Warrants: Bench Warrants (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the collation and verification of the information requested by the Deputy in Questions No. 228 and 229 of 14 May, 2008 is underway and that the information will be supplied as soon as possible. I have asked that this process be expedited and have directed that a comprehensive reply be prepared as quickly as possible for the Deputy, dealing with all...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Procedures: Garda Vetting Procedures (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that all vetting application forms received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) are processed in sequential order from the date of receipt. The current, average turnaround time for the processing of correctly completed vetting application forms is approximately one month. Significant departures from the average processing time occur only when...