Results 4,301-4,320 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government indicates that legislation will be introduced to end upward only rent reviews for existing business leases. Following on from an initial consultation process with the Attorney General, I have forwarded outline proposals to her for further examination and development. Those proposals have already been the subject of preliminary...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I understand that an acceptable solution has been agreed by the parties involved and that the new contractor has engaged the services of the staff employed by the previous contractor.

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I wish to inform the Deputy that judges are independent in the matter of sentencing as they are in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. Insofar as the role of the Houses of the Oireachtas is concerned, the traditional approach to sentencing is to lay down the maximum penalty and for a court, having considered all the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) in May 2011. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: The general position is that the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 as amended, prohibits gaming except as permitted by that Act. The position concerning casinos and private members clubs derives from section 4(1)(a) and (3) of that Act. Section 4(1)(a) states that " No person shall promote or assist in promoting or provide facilities for any kind of gaming: (a) in which by reason of the nature...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) in August 2009. The application is currently being processed in the normal way with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation...

Written Answers — Traveller Community: Traveller Community (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I will contact the Deputy directly in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I can assure the Deputy that the development of appropriate and effective criminal justice responses to both prostitution and drug trafficking is the focus of ongoing work within my Department and its agencies. The Garda Síochána Policing Plan for 2011 sets out the commitment of An Garda Síochána to pro-actively target groups and individuals engaged in organised criminal activities,...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision. Direct provision allows asylum seekers to be provided with full board accommodation and certain ancillary services while their applications for international protection are being processed. Today, RIA has contracted...

Written Answers — Investigation into Anglo Irish Bank: Investigation into Anglo Irish Bank (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 630 and 642 together. I share the impatience of many people at the pace of the investigations into possible criminal behaviour at Anglo Irish Bank. I do not intend this as any criticism of investigators and prosecutors, who face tough challenges as a result of the complexities of the matters being investigated. At the same time, I am concerned to ensure that...

Written Answers — State Visits: State Visits (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I have previously provided this House with details of the Garda expenditure incurred on the policing of the State visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Obama in May this year. In that context I am currently engaging with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in connection with the arrangements to be made to cover the expenditure involved.

Written Answers — Garda Vetting of Personnel: Garda Vetting of Personnel (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 632 and 633 together. The function of the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) is to provide employment vetting for organisations in Ireland registered with the GCVU which employ/engage persons, who in the course of their work, will have substantial, unsupervised access to children and/or vulnerable adults. This would, of course, include organisations who engage...

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Council of Europe 1983 Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons provides a mechanism whereby prisoners sentenced abroad may be returned to Ireland in order to serve their sentences. The Transfer of Sentenced Persons Acts 1995 and 1997 provides the legislative basis for this Convention in Ireland. The purpose of the Convention, which is based on humanitarian considerations, is to...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, as amended, provides for the detention, removal, storage and subsequent release or disposal of a mechanically propelled vehicle. In summary, the provisions relate to a vehicle which is in use in a public place and which is uninsured, untaxed or does not have a test or roadworthiness certificate or the driver...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: The legal provisions regarding disqualification from driving are set out in road traffic legislation, which is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. I am informed by the Garda authorities that disqualification from driving may occur in three ways, by court disqualification, penalty point disqualification and the mutual recognition of driving...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of each Garda Division referred to by the Deputy, as at 31 August 2010 and 31 August 2011 was as set out in the following table: Division 31 August 2010 31 August 2011 Louth 316 310 Donegal 473 457 Cavan/Monaghan 406 374 TOTAL 1,195 1,141 The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, the numbers in...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: My Department is currently finalising a report on the "Cash for Gold" trade and I anticipate that this will be submitted to me shortly for consideration. Following consideration of the position I will make an assessment as to what, if any, further action, legislative or otherwise, may be required. I can assure the Deputy that following this assessment I will, in due course, make known the...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting of Personnel: Garda Vetting of Personnel (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the average processing time for vetting applications received at the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) is approximately 10 weeks. I appreciate that it is important to process these applications in as timely a manner as possible and that the length of time currently being taken is a matter of concern which I am determined to address. A number of...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually under the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Section 15 of the Act provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. In particular, these...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: The allocation of members of An Garda Síochána, appointed by me as Immigration Officers, on immigration control duties at Dublin Airport is closely monitored by local Garda Management and the Commissioner, An Garda Síochána, who in turn consult with the Dublin Airport Authority, which has responsibility for the management and operation of Dublin Airport. The situation is kept under...