Results 5,001-5,020 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — National Disability Strategy: National Disability Strategy (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The National Disability Strategy was launched by Government in September, 2004 and underpins the participation of people with disabilities in Irish society by building on existing policy and legislation. The implementation of the Strategy is the agreed focus of disability policy under the Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016. My Department is responsible for the provision of the framework...

Written Answers — Garda Ombudsman: Garda Ombudsman (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Siochana Act 2005 sets out the role of the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission. The Act establishes the Ombudsman Commission as a key element of the new policing framework. This role is essential in ensuring that public confidence in the Gardaí is safeguarded. The Commission presented me with their two year progress report earlier this year. This concludes that they can report...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question 27210/08 of today's date.

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 89 together. Part 11 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which provides for civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults, was commenced on 1 January, 2007. Part 13 of the Act, relating to anti-social behaviour by children, was commenced on 1 March, 2007. These provisions set out an incremental procedure for addressing anti-social...

Written Answers — Criminal Proceedings: Criminal Proceedings (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Part 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 amended the law governing the circumstances in which inferences could be drawn in criminal proceedings from a failure or refusal by the accused to account for certain suspicious circumstances which clearly call for an explanation when requested to do so by a member of the Garda Síochána either prior to or when being charged. Part 4 also extended the...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: 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 disappearance of four other missing women were also reviewed....

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 97 together. The enabling provisions to allow for the use of Electronic Monitoring are provided for in the Criminal Justice Acts of 2006 and 2007. However, before any decisions are taken on the introduction of those specific provisions careful and detailed consideration must be given to the costs, advances in technology, the offender cohort most...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Síochána (Corruption or Malpractice) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 168 of 2007) were made in April 2007. They allow for civilian employees as well as sworn members of An Garda Síochána to make confidential reports on any corruption or malpractice of which they become aware. Mr. Brian McCarthy was appointed as a Confidential Recipient by my predecessor in March 2008. He will provide a...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In December 2005, following publication of the Youth Justice Review, the Government agreed a programme to implement youth justice reforms. These reforms included the establishment of the Office of the Minister for Children; the establishment of the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) as an executive office of my Department; and a number of legislative amendments to the Children Act 2001....

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Every effort is being made to have the Property Services Regulatory Authority Bill published as soon as possible. Publication is subject to the resolution of certain legal issues that have arisen during completion of the drafting process. As regards the regulation of management companies, I should point out that the recently-published Law Reform Commission Report on Multi-Unit Developments...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 112 and 114 together. At 30th June 2008, there were 258 attested Reserve Gardaí and 93 Reserve trainees. The 258 attested members currently operational are assigned to the following stations: Dublin Metropolitan Region Pearse St, Kevin Street, Kilmainham, Donnybrook, Store St, Bridewell, Fitzgibbon Street, Clondalkin, Finglas, Lucan, Ballyfermot,...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As part of a general review of the operation of the Freedom of Information Act last year, the extension of the Act to An Garda Síochána was considered. That consideration involved an examination of all factors relevant to the governance, oversight and accountability of An Garda Síochána. Since the passage of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 An Garda Síochána and the regulatory and...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 110 together. Following a two stage tender and evaluation process, a preferred bidder has been selected. Following a cooling off period in accordance with standard procurement procedures, the intention is that An Garda Síochána will shortly commence contract discussions with the preferred bidder. A rollout of the network of cameras would commence...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that to date all significant arrests by the Garda National Drugs Unit in 2008 have involved adults. There is no evidence, currently to hand, to indicate that there is an increase in the use of juveniles by criminals for the purpose of drug-trafficking. However there is no room for complacency on matters such as this and An Garda Síochána will...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Work is underway in my Department on the preparation of the heads of a Bill to give effect to the legislative elements of the 'Justice for Victims Initiative' which I announced recently. While I cannot at this time give a precise date for submission of the heads of the Bill to Government, it remains my firm intention that the Bill should be published in the Spring of 2009 and I remain...

Written Answers — Crime Statistics: Crime Statistics (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 102 together. The recorded crime figures for the first quarter of 2008 issued by the Central Statistics Office for the first time use the new Quarterly Irish Crime Classification System. This system includes some offences which were not previously classified as headline offences. These statistics, which have to be assessed against the background of an...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Following the approval of Government the details of my proposals for a Civil Partnership Bill were published on 24 June 2008. The Bill is now in the course of being drafted by Parliamentary Counsel. It is, I believe, generally acknowledged that the Bill, while being comprehensive, is very complex. It will require a good deal of consideration on the legal and technical aspects in the course of...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: My Department (including the immigration and asylum areas) is required to operate within overall staffing levels approved by Government. The staffing of the immigration and asylum areas is dealt with in the same manner as obtains across the Department and is determined by: the availability of staff; the competing priorities of the many critical areas of responsibility handled by my...

Written Answers — Licensing Laws: Licensing Laws (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The position is that the Licensing Acts already provide for a system of sequential closing of licensed premises. Existing legislation provides for a general closing time of 11.30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 12.30 a.m on Friday and Saturday and 11.00 p.m. on Sunday. A further period of 30 minutes drinking-up time is also permitted. Special exemption orders which permit...

Written Answers — Joint Policing Committees: Joint Policing Committees (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 59 of today's date.