Results 5,081-5,100 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Asylum Applications. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy is probably aware, leave to remain in the State is predominantly sought by non-European economic area nationals who do not have a separate legal basis for being here. In the great majority of cases, applications of this nature are lodged by persons who have claimed asylum and who have had their applications finally rejected. They are also made by persons who have otherwise...

Asylum Applications. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I completely agree with the Deputy. That is why the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill is before the House. The only way to deal with this matter is to put in place a single procedure in respect of applications of this nature. That is why it is of great importance that the legislation should be enacted as soon as possible. It is regrettable that many persons are obliged to live in...

Asylum Applications. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Some 49 staff members are involved in examining applications for permission to remain in the State and for subsidiary protection. I am not aware of any comments made by the Supreme Court in respect of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The debate on the legislation before the House will give us the opportunity to consider the tribunal, which will become the protection tribunal, and how it can be...

Garda Operations. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, it is open to me to set policing priorities for the Garda Síochána. One of the priorities I have set for 2008 is to combat, particularly in co-operation with other agencies and the community generally, the problems of public disorder. I specified that there should be particular emphasis on alcohol related behaviour, including under age drinking, and...

Garda Operations. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Commissioner visited Drimnagh and was satisfied that there was an adequate number of community gardaí on duty in that area. They represent 4.6% of the total strength of the force and the total number of personnel attached to community policing is 630. Those gardaí perform the duties as defined by Deputy Charles Flanagan, but, in a sense, every garda is a community garda, coming into...

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The latest available figures show that there are 630 members of the Garda Síochána assigned to community policing, compared to a total attested strength of 13,755. This represents 4.58% of the total strength of the force. As with any large organisation, these figures can fluctuate from day to day, for example, due to promotions, retirements and transfers. While this is the number of...

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are gardaí in specialist units, whether involved in security, serious crime, national immigration bureau or plain clothes work, who are not publically visible. The gardaí who are visible are not restricted to the category of community policeman. It is not the case that only gardaí on patrol or on bicycles are community policemen. The presence of gardaí in the community is not...

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I agree with Deputy Charles Flanagan. I have not instituted any reviews, plural. I have instituted a review and it is short and focused. It ends at the end of this month and——

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——it will eventuate in legislation which will address this problem. I am anxious to get that legislation through the House before the summer and I hope I can receive the co-operation of the different parties in the House. We are not going to be able to deal with all the problems in a short Bill to be enacted before the summer, but we can at least begin to address the problem. I am not...

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am not, and I am very open to any proposals the Opposition may wish to bring forward as well. However, as regards Dr. Holmes's previous studies, on my appointment as Minister he contacted me and expressed specific concern that in his earlier work the terms of reference did not permit him to address the issue of the harmful effects of alcohol in the context of any review of legislation....

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——that further extensions in the opening hours for licensed premises or the establishment of café bar type arrangements would be quite disastrous in this context.

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I agree with Deputy Doyle and that is why the Commissioner is undertaking this review — to arrive at a more precise definition of the responsibilities of the community policeman. As regards Deputy Ó Snodaigh's point concerning the ringfencing of traffic gardaí, many countries have a separate traffic corps. In this jurisdiction, my predecessor maintained — I agree with him — that it...

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that, as of 28 February 2008, there are 3,377 members of the Garda Síochána who are competent in the use of firearms and who are authorised firearms card holders. This includes members of specialist units such as the special detective unit as well as a percentage of uniformed gardaí. A Garda working group on firearms training recommended that not...

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The fundamental question asked by the Deputy related to training. I have outlined in my answer the new initiatives which have been taken to ensure training in the use of firearms is first-class. I have looked at the facilities available in Templemore and I am satisfied they are of the highest standard and will ensure that the continuous training which the Garda Síochána requires in this...

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I indicated in my reply, I am satisfied with the training arrangements as regards the use of firearms. On the supply of further weaponry, I will be guided by any requests made by the Commissioner in that regard.

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Not to my knowledge.

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am confident that every effort was made in the interim to maintain a high standard. The new provision in Templemore is of an excellent standard and similar provision will be available in Dublin from April of this year.

Crime Prevention. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the organised crime unit was established on a temporary basis in November 2005 to actively target organised criminal gangs. It was initially established with officers seconded from various units. In January of this year, the unit was established on a permanent basis and full-time staff have been assigned to it. This new status has been...

Crime Prevention. (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The unit was established temporarily in November 2005 and it was in this year that it was decided to establish it on a permanent basis. Officers were seconded from various units. While the detection of drugs offences is a principle responsibility of the unit, it is not the only one. Organised crime takes other forms also, including, for example, the acquisition of firearms. The unit is...

Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: expresses its abhorrence of all unlawful killings and the callous disregard for human life shown by such killings and expresses its sympathy to the families of all who have had loved ones killed in this way; in particular deplores the brutal killing of Pawel Kalite and Mariusz Szwajkos and...