Results 4,621-4,640 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I have not appointed any special advisors in my role as Minister for Defence. Similarly, no special advisors have been appointed by Mr. Paul Kehoe T.D. in his role as Minister of State at the Department of Defence.

European Defence Agency Projects: Motion (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves Ireland's participation in an EDA Category A Project on Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Protection and an EDA Category B Project on Maritime Surveillance (MARSUR) pursuant to section 2 of the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. I will provide some brief information on the reason the Government is presenting this motion and...

European Defence Agency Projects: Motion (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am sure we all feel better for that. I thank Deputy Calleary for his considered and constructive contribution to this debate. The issues we are dealing with are of importance. I never fail to wonder at what particular world Deputy Boyd Barrett inhabits. He has yet again given us an example of his contrived, selective ideological outrage. I presume he approves of our engagement in...

European Defence Agency Projects: Motion (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: -----in UN peacekeeping operations? Quite clearly the Deputy does not support peacekeeping operations,-----

European Defence Agency Projects: Motion (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: -----does not support our Defence Forces and seems to be of the view that we should not engage in humanitarian interventions or peacekeeping operations with our European partners. This State and its Defence Forces have a constructive contribution to make in this regard. These projects are not just important in these areas - I thank Deputy Calleary for his support again - but also in...

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: Applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT) which make recommendations to me on whether such status should be granted. If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, in accordance with the provisions of the service agreement for the provision and operation of safety cameras, the service provider is responsible for the recruitment and selection of personnel, ensuring they are qualified to undertake the role assigned to them and providing remedial or renewal training as necessary. An Garda Síochána does not...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána apply to the Courts Service for the issue of summonses, which are served in accordance with the Courts Acts and the District Court Rules. The service provider does not apply for the issue of summonses. However, An Garda Síochána is also responsible for the issue and service of fixed charge notices for road traffic offences....

Written Answers — Violence Against Women: Violence Against Women (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, an executive office within my Department, actively contributed to all stages of the drafting process in relation to the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. Cosc is currently considering the steps which need to be taken to pave the way...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting of Personnel: Garda Vetting of Personnel (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: On 27 July, I published the Scheme of a National Vetting Bureau Bill which will provide for the vetting of persons working with children or vulnerable adults. The Bill will provide a statutory basis for the existing system of vetting provided by the Central Vetting Unit of the Garda Síochána. In addition, and in line with the recommendation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 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 August 2009. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation...

Written Answers — Prison Committals: Prison Committals (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the person referred to by the Deputy has been in custody in the Dóchas Centre, Women's Prison, Mountjoy since 13th September 2011 for being held in Contempt of Court. The Deputy will appreciate that in such cases the ongoing detention of the person is a matter for the Courts. Consequently it is not open to me to intervene in this matter.

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána adopts a strategic approach to the procurement of goods and services consistent with its Procurement Strategy 2011 - 2012 policy document. The key goals of the strategy are; o The development of a procurement planning framework o Maximising the opportunities for entering formalised contracting arrangements o Participating...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I presume that the Deputy is referring to the Tribunals of Enquiry under the Tribunal of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921. As I stated in response to Parliamentary Question No. 384 of 20 September 2011, I can confirm to the Deputy that as Minister for Justice and Equality, ''I do not have a role in overseeing or coordinating inquiries undertaken by other Government Departments. Government operates...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 and 378 together. I must inform the Deputy that neither the Bar Council nor the Law Library receives State funding.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: At the outset I would like to advise the Deputy that documents submitted by an applicant as evidence of identity or nationality, or in support of a case to remain in the State, can only be returned to that applicant once the case has had a definitive outcome. Insofar as the case referred to by the Deputy is concerned, a copy of a passport submitted by the person concerned during the course of...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am aware of the European Convention on Human Rights finding which relates to a Scottish case. However I have no knowledge of any recent judicial enquiry recommendations on conditions in Mountjoy Prison. I can assure the Deputy however that the Government is committed to the elimination of slopping out in all prisons and places of detention. The Programme for Government, includes the...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: I can assure the Deputy and the House that it is a priority for this Government to maintain frontline services at the highest level possible. I have been advised that the Commissioner is currently carrying out a review of the entire Garda organisation in the context of ensuring that the Force will be in a position to match the deployment of resources to its policing commitments as...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: As at the current date my Department has received sixteen confirmed notifications of retirement on or before the 29 February 2012 deadline for payment of retirement benefits based on pre-1 January 2010 salary scales. This figure includes three staff who will reach the compulsory retirement age of 65 on or before that date. Staff in my Department have access to a personal Pension Service...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (27 Sep 2011)

Alan Shatter: As of Friday, 23 September 2011, 399 members of An Garda Síochána had either left the force or declared their intention to leave the force in 2011. Of this number, 167 are intending to leave in the months of October, November or December. The Garda Code requires that Members intending to retire must give three months notice of doing so and therefore we will have a clearer idea of the final...