Results 4,221-4,240 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the status of the person in question and her two adult sons is currently under consideration and a decision will be issued shortly.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that statistics are not compiled by An Garda Síochána in such a way as to indicate the number of speeding summonses that have been dismissed due to defence of non receipt of the notification by post. Furthermore, under the Courts Service Act, 1988, the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which include the provision of...

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Cork Probation Hostel which was established in 1984 was closed in 2004 for major refurbishment. As part of the implementation of the Children Act, 2001, as amended, external consultants were engaged in late 2006 to undertake a review of such residential facilities with a view to meeting the requirements of the Children Act in relation to certain community sanctions, and providing a...

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

Dermot Ahern: The person to whom the Deputy refers arrived in Ireland on a valid visa issued subsequent to his parents having been granted permission to remain in the State under the arrangements then in place for the parents of children born in the State. Following his arrival in the State, the person concerned continued to reside here as part of a family unit. A minor child is covered by the permission...

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

Dermot Ahern: If the individual referred to by the Deputy wishes to reside in Ireland with their spouse, an application for a "Spouse of Irish" visa must be lodged through the Visa Office at the Embassy of Ireland, Moscow. Comprehensive details on how to apply for a visa and the documents required for family members of Irish citizens can be found on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that there were 129 females and 3,457 males in prison custody on 22 May 2008.

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

Dermot Ahern: The person concerned arrived in the State on 15 July 2002 and applied for asylum. Her asylum application was refused following the consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter...

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

Dermot Ahern: I would refer the Deputy to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 879 put down for answer on the 2nd April 2008. The position in relation to 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...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (27 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: 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...

Crime Levels (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It is a matter of concern that the number of murders involving knives or sharp instruments doubled from 18 in 2006 to 36 last year. I should add, however, that the overall number of incidents involving such weapons recorded by the Garda Síochána decreased from 1,138 in 2006 to 934 in 2007. Our legislation already prescribes strong penalties for offences involving the use of knives and...

Crime Levels (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As I stated in my reply, the Garda Commissioner's report in this regard was recently received by my Department. The report makes a number of small suggestions in respect of changes in this area, including in respect of powers of search, the prohibition of swords and providing that some summary offences be tried on indictment. I have indicated previously that I will use the criminal justice...

Inquiries into Garda Activities. (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The findings of the sixth report of the Morris tribunal are disturbing not only for the public but for the overwhelming majority of members of the Garda Síochána who are conscientious and honourable and who have been badly let down by some of their colleagues. It finds that a number of persons were unlawfully arrested and detained and that some were mistreated in custody through verbal...

Inquiries into Garda Activities. (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: One of the changes made arose from the whistleblowers' regulations which were signed into law in April 2007. There is a confidential recipient, Mr. Brian McCarthy, former Secretary General to the President, who was appointed in March 2008. The system of whistleblowing will become operational once the charter is in place, has been submitted and is approved by me. When it is in place, it...

Inquiries into Garda Activities. (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: From time to time, a Minister with responsibility for justice will receive information. I have not received such information since I became Minister. As a result of the changes made in 2005, the Garda Ombudsman Commission is now up and running and has received a substantial number of complaints on issues brought to its attention by members of the public. The Garda Ombudsman Commission,...

Inquiries into Garda Activities. (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In connection with what action has taken place, a new code of disciplinary measures has been put in place as a result of the recommendations of the Morris tribunal.

Legislative Programme. (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Sexual Offences (Jurisdiction) Act 1996 provides for the prosecution in the State of Irish citizens or persons ordinarily resident in the State for an act against or involving children abroad. Under section 2 of the Act, the act must be a sexual offence under the law of the place it was done and, had it been done within this State, would have constituted an offence listed in the Schedule...

Legislative Programme. (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Another question has been tabled on the McElwee case and I am aware of the circumstances of it. One of the reasons we propose to change the legislation is to tighten up the situation, not necessarily flowing from this particular case. For this new legislation, we have taken on board the views of various bodies, including the Ombudsman for Children, the Irish Human Rights Commission and what...

Freedom of Information. (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As part of a general review of the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 last year, the extension of the Act to An Garda Síochána was considered. That consideration involved an examination of all factors relevant to the governance, oversight and accountability of An Garda Síochána. Since the passage of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, An Garda Síochána and the regulatory and...

Freedom of Information. (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: With regard to making a name for myself in regard to freedom of information, I am the only Minister who was ever threatened with Circuit Court proceedings by the Data Protection Commissioner. When I was Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I wanted to provide replies to freedom of information requests but the commissioner had huge problems with what I was doing. On her...

Freedom of Information. (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy asked me to make my name.