Results 4,561-4,580 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Defence Forces Review (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by the Government both at home and overseas, as clearly evidenced by the numbers currently overseas, as detailed in response to earlier questions. As I seem to be saying repetitively this afternoon, the Government is undertaking a comprehensive review of expenditure and my Department has...

Defence Forces Review (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I hope the Deputy will not take anything more from my responding "Yes" to what he said. I agree with what he said. It is important we maintain the capabilities of the Defence Forces, the numbers for which are close to 9,500, to reflect the numbers in the 1970s. It is important to ensure we can meet our international obligations and that the Defence Forces can adequately respond to assist...

Defence Forces Review (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: As I said on 31 August, there are 1,005 personnel within the Naval Service. I would have mentioned in a reply to Deputy Calleary that, in the context of possible additional recruitment this year, I envisaged that a portion would apply to the Naval Service. I am conscious of its obligations and extended jurisdiction or remit. It is important that we bear this in mind in addressing the issue...

Overseas Missions (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: As stated earlier, Ireland is contributing 524 Defence Forces personnel to 11 missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are deployed, are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, with 454 personnel, and the NATO-led international security presence, KFOR, in Kosovo, with 12 personnel. Other personnel are serving as monitors and...

Overseas Missions (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I assure the Deputy that is the case. I mentioned earlier that we have up to 850 members of the Defence Forces who could be deployed abroad. I was merely making the case that as we have in excess of 450 in Lebanon, we do not have the capacity to send a similar large number abroad. Clearly, if we receive a request from the United Nations to participate in other missions or to deploy small...

Overseas Missions (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am anxious to ensure, in the difficult financial circumstances in which we find ourselves, that the Defence Forces retain their operational capabilities to contribute to international peacekeeping missions and to participate in providing assistance to the civil power when that is necessary, such as during the type of climatic emergencies we saw in the past 12 months. It is part of my...

Overseas Missions (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: And Deputy Naughten, whom I did not intend to leave off the list.

Overseas Missions (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I referred previously to the fact that more than 200 Defence Forces personnel were recruited during the course of this year. It is vital to ensure a degree of age balance. There is intake into the Defence Forces, bearing in mind the number of retirements that occur. A definitive decision has not been taken nor the numbers finalised, but I think it likely that there will be some additional...

Written Answers — Severe Weather Events: Severe Weather Events (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: Whilst the Defence Forces are not a Principal Response Agency, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide assistance in an Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role under the multi-agency Framework. Representation on the Government Task Force, by both my Department and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation with the appropriate lead...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: Sections 8A and 8B of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, inserted by section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, provide members of An Garda Síochána with certain powers in relation to persons who are found in possession of intoxicating substances in a place, other than a place used as a private dwelling. I am informed by the Garda authorities that information regarding the...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that provisions of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicle) Regulations 1963, made by the Minister for Transport, allow members of An Garda Síochána to prosecute drivers whose windows fail to provide a view of the road and traffic on the road, as is necessary to enable him or her to drive safely. Article 23 of the Regulations...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table outlines the number of vans and Garda motorbikes purchased in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Vans 49 52 0 0 3 Motorbikes 90 0 0 6 0

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in June, 2009 and my predecessor decided in his absolute discretion to refuse the application. The person concerned was informed of that decision in a letter issued to his...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident to which the Deputies refer was the subject of investigation by An Garda Síochána, which resulted in the submission of an investigation file to the law officers, who directed that a person be charged with manslaughter and assault. At the subsequent trial, directions to acquit were given by the judge. I understand that following the...

Written Answers — Garda Retirement: Garda Retirement (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: Retirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by statutory provisions which set the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age. I have no plans to extend that age at this time. Of course members with 30 years service may retire on a full pension at any time once they reach 50 years of age, for those who joined prior to 2004, or 55 years of age for those who joined...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting of Personnel: Garda Vetting of Personnel (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that at present 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...

Written Answers — Legal Profession: Legal Profession (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: Under the law as it stands I have no function in the matter of solicitors and barristers switching careers. However, the Law Society has provided me with the following information regarding the number of solicitors who have had their names voluntarily removed from the Roll of Solicitors, and of barristers who have applied to have their names added. While solicitors must make an application...

Written Answers — Court Staff: Court Staff (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: There are three vacancies in the District Court: in District Number 14 (Limerick), District Number 20 (Cork) and District Number 22 (Carlow/Kilkenny). Due to upcoming retirements two additional District Court vacancies will shortly arise in the Dublin Metropolitan District and District Number 23 (Wexford). The current procedures for judicial appointments are set out in the Courts and Court...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: The management and administration of the courts including responsibility for maintaining and publishing court statistics is a matter for the Courts Service. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided the following table which shows the most recently available data, from May 2011, in relation to waiting times for Family...

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (21 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Coroner for County Offaly has confirmed to me that the file in relation to this matter has not been destroyed or burned and is fully intact. He is at a loss to know why this question has arisen.