Results 4,501-4,520 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: 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...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: 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 December 2006. Officials in that section are currently processing applications received in July 2005 and have approximately 9,000 applications on hand to be dealt with before that of the person concerned. These are generally...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As of 31 December 2007, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the total strength of Ballinamore Garda Station was 5. The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day the overall strength of the organisation may fluctuate due, for example, to retirements, resignations etc. It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Legal Practitioners (Qualification) Act 1929 provides that a person wishing to be admitted to practice as a barrister-at-law must satisfy the Chief Justice by such means as the Chief Justice shall prescribe that he or she possesses a competent knowledge of the Irish language. The Legal Practitioners (Irish Language) Bill 2007 that is before the House provides for the repeal of the 1929...

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In 2006, in accordance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005, my Department commenced compiling data relating to the number of people working in the Department who have a disability. The data received indicates that the percentage of people working in my Department who have a disability is 3.1%, marginally in excess of the 3% employment target. It must be noted that the National Disability...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1292, 1296 and 1297 together. Under my Department's decentralisation programme, just over nine hundred posts are scheduled to relocate from Dublin to seven different provincial locations by 2010. I am pleased to report that, to-date, four hundred and twenty officers have taken up duty and the Department now has a presence in all of our seven locations....

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí stationed in the Limerick Garda districts, broken down by Garda station and rank on 31 December 2007 ( the latest date for which figures are readily available) and on 31 December 2006 is set out in the table here under. The figures broken down by rank for 31 December, 2005 are not readily available, however the total...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that the Law Reform Commission published a Consultation Paper on Multi-Unit Developments in December 2006 which drew attention to a broad range of issues arising in relation to the governance and operation of such developments, including problems arising from the manner in which company law currently applies to property management companies. In recognition of the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: 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 February 2006. Applications are generally dealt with in chronological order and this practise is not deviated from except in exceptional circumstances. However, due to the circumstances outlined in your question, I understand...

Seanad: The 70th Anniversary of the Constitution: Statements (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I congratulate Seanad Éireann on having a debate on the anniversary of the Constitution. It came into operation on 29 December 1937 and while this debate did not take place in the calendar year of 2007, it has taken place within a few weeks of the anniversary of the Constitution's commencement. I join Senator Cassidy in paying tribute to Professor Keogh on his magnificent work describing...

Seanad: The 70th Anniversary of the Constitution: Statements (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We do not know what that crusade was about. It was followed by a pro-life amendment. We really do not want to go there. The Constitution was put in place in 1937. As Senator Regan fairly notes, it has been amended many times since but it embodies certain features which have assured it has endured. I agree with the proposition that the Constitution re-bottled some wine and built on the...

Seanad: The 70th Anniversary of the Constitution: Statements (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We have not done too badly with proportional representation.

Written Answers — Freedom of Movement: Freedom of Movement (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Freedom of movement is a fundamental right of European citizens enshrined in the EC Treaty. The intention behind this principle is the removal of all internal borders of the EU. The obligations on Member States to permit the free movement of European citizens are set out in Directive 2004/38/EC which is transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) (No....

Written Answers — Sale of Fireworks: Sale of Fireworks (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy may be aware, the Explosives Act 1875 provides for the control of the importation, manufacture, storage and sale of fireworks. Accordingly, fireworks may not be imported into the State except under an importation licence granted by my Department. It is long standing policy that these licences are granted only for organised displays conducted by competent and professional...

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 set out the legislative basis for prosecution due to excessive noise levels of vehicles. Current permissible sound levels are set by EU Directive. I am further informed that 714 proceedings were commenced and 349 convictions were recorded for offences contrary to the legislation in 2006. In 2007, 514...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 57 on the same topic on 13 December last, work on the scheme of the Judicial Council Bill to build on the report of the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Ethics is at an advanced stage of development in my Department. That Report recognised the need for a procedure for dealing with complaints of judicial misconduct which, while serious in itself,...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 3(1) of the Road Traffic Act 2006 creates an offence of holding a mobile phone while driving a mechanically propelled vehicle. Under section 3(2) of the Act this prohibition does not apply to a member of the Garda Síochána who is acting in the course of his or her duties and holding a mobile phone in relation to the performance of his or her duties. I am informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Dunboyne Garda Station on 31 December, 2007 (the latest date for which figures are readily available) was 16. The opening hours for the station are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on Sunday. An increase in the opening hours of Dunboyne Garda Station would necessitate the...

Written Answers — Joint Policing Committees: Joint Policing Committees (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 228 together. Paragraph 5.3 of the guidelines under which the Joint Policing Committees operate provides that a Committee or a subcommittee of a Committee will act as a mechanism through which, firstly, elected representatives and local communities can have a role in conveying information and views to Garda Divisional and District officers to assist...

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that in recognising the international dimension to the phenomenon of human trafficking the Garda Síochána is actively participating in a number of anti-human trafficking related initiatives involving law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions. Liaison at international level between the Garda Síochána and other law enforcement agencies through...