Results 4,301-4,320 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Restorative Justice: Restorative Justice (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The concept of Restorative Justice does have a place in how we deal with offending behaviour. To date we have two such projects funded by my Department, through the Probation Service. We must, of course, learn from the experience of how restorative justice has worked both here in Ireland and in other jurisdictions so that future expansion of the restorative justice model will be guided by...

Written Answers — Victims Commission: Victims Commission (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime (CSVC) were appointed by the then Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform for a three year period with effect from March, 2005. The Commission was tasked with disbursing funding for victim support measures and devising an appropriate support framework for victims into the future. In this regard, the Commission has over the past three...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 159 and 196 together. Operation Trace was established in October, 1998. The original objectives of the investigation team under this dedicated initiative were to trace, review and collate all evidence pertaining to the separate Garda investigations into the disappearance of six women in the Leinster area. Subsequently the investigations into the...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: My Department is not responsible for the development of general guidelines for the public service on this issue and a very small number only of data storage devices have been lost or stolen from my Department. The Department will however be participating on an inter-Departmental working group chaired by the Department of Finance which will develop guidelines in relation to protecting the...

Written Answers — Garda Divisional Boundaries: Garda Divisional Boundaries (28 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, which was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, contains the Commissioner's proposals to realign Garda...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 154 and 156 together. I believe that the establishment of the Garda Reserve, with the support of the vast majority of the members of this House, is one of the most important innovations in policing in Ireland in recent years. It has strengthened the links with local communities and is a source of local support and knowledge. It brings new life to the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As I stated in my reply to Question No. 402 of 27 May 2008, I expect to bring proposals for a Scheme of a Civil Partnership Bill to Government shortly.

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As previously indicated to the Deputy in my answer to PQ No. 8 of 17th April 2008, engagement with the rural community and rural policing are key priorities of An Garda Síochána. Rural Policing is continually being reviewed and developed and the enhanced liaison structures between Garda Management and Local Authorities through Joint Policing Committees and Community Policing Fora will be of...

Written Answers — Commissions of Investigation: Commissions of Investigation (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Dean Lyons case offered a thorough independent analysis of the facts surrounding the false confession made by Dean Lyons based on the evidence of all relevant witnesses. It concluded that there was no deliberate attempt to undermine the rights of Dean Lyons. At page 12 of his Report Mr Birmingham (now Judge Birmingham) makes it clear that...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As I indicated in my reply to an earlier question, I intend to bring before the Government shortly proposals in relation to covert surveillance by the Garda Síochána. These measures will include provisions dealing with the use of information or material obtained in evidence in these cases. I should point out that the use in Court of the results of surveillance is already permissible under...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As indicated, I intend to bring proposals before the Government shortly dealing with the matter. In line with the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission, the proposed measure will include provisions relating to judicial oversight and a complaints mechanism.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 122 together. I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that they remain committed to targeting violent crime and to tackling those who engage or facilitate persons involved in such activity. The Garda Commissioner's Policing Plan for 2008 sets out strategic goals for the Force and includes a commitment to significantly reduce the impact of crime...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the policing of the border area is constantly monitored and reviewed by senior Garda Management and their Regional Management Team. These reviews cover crime analysis, crime trends, policing requirements and resource allocation. An Garda Síochána in co-operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland is engaging in high-visibility policing...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Irish Prison Service publication entitled "The Prison Adult Literacy Survey — Results and Implications" published in September 2003 showed that a significant number of prisoners have very low levels of literacy — 52% of them were at Level 1 or Pre-Level 1 literacy levels. In other words, more than twice as many prisoners are at the lowest level as compared with the general...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I understand that there are ongoing discussions with the Stardust Victims Committee's legal representative concerning the arrangements for the independent examination.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 194 together. As the Deputies will be aware, these matters have already been decided by the Government and the position in that respect is as indicated in response to PQ No. 2 of 17 April 2008. In the short period since taking up office I have not had the opportunity to consider in great detail how to best advance progress with these complex issues....

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: A letter from the Dutch Ministry of Justice was received by the Central Authority for Mutual Legal Assistance based in my Department on 27 July, 2004. The substance of the letter related to whether or not a prosecution against Dr. A could be instituted here rather than in the Netherlands. The letter was furnished to the Gardaí, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am in discussion with the Garda Ombudsman Commission on possible amendments to the Garda Síochána Act 2005 aimed at further improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations. I intend to bring proposals to Government in relation to the drafting of those amendments shortly. An outline of amendments proposed by the Ombudsman Commission is set out in their two year progress...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Following the commencement of provisions of the Children Act 2001, as amended, responsibility for children detention schools transferred from the Minister for Education and Science to the remit of my Department on 1st March 2007. There are currently 4 schools in operation, 3 at Oberstown, Lusk, Co. Dublin and 1 at Finglas, Dublin 11. As the Deputy may be aware the development of new...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda National Drugs Unit is the primary unit within An Garda Síochána charged with responsibility for drug supply law enforcement. As at 30 April 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of the Unit was 62. Since the publication of the Government's National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008, Garda resources in the fight against illicit drugs have...