Results 5,101-5,120 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I assume the Deputy is referring to the announcement I made last week concerning a consultation process to help inform the future direction of legislation on prostitution. For ease of reference, I am appending the text of the relevant press release and trust that it explains the position in this matter. Minister Shatter announces publication of his Department's report on Sweden's legislation...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: As I have previously informed the House, the majority of the Fines Act 2010 has been commenced. It is particularly important to note the commencement of Section 14 of the Act, which for the first time placed an obligation on the court to take account of a person's financial circumstances before the amount of a fine, if any, to be imposed. Implementation work is continuing on two key...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I have no plans at present to reform the legislation on citizenship and naturalisation beyond those changes contained in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2011. My primary objective for legislative reform in the immigration area is to progress the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 through the Oireachtas. I will, of course, continue to keep the Act in question under...

Written Answers — Drug Dealing: Drug Dealing (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: Tackling serious crime including drug trafficking remains a key ongoing priority both for the Government and for An Garda Síochána. These priorities are clearly reflected in the Garda Policing Plan for 2011. A key action in the Plan is the proactive targeting by An Garda Síochána of drug trafficking, including low-level drug dealing. Under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner at...

Written Answers — Magdalene Laundries: Magdalene Laundries (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I can advise the Deputy that the Committee, under the independent chairmanship of Senator Martin McAleese, has submitted an interim progress report. The report was considered by Cabinet this morning and arrangements are being made for its publication.

Written Answers — Cash for Gold Industry: Cash for Gold Industry (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: My Department is currently finalising a report on criminal justice aspects of the "Cash for Gold" trade and I can inform the Deputy that this report will be submitted to me shortly for consideration. Following consideration of the report I will make an assessment as to what, if any, action, legislative or otherwise, may be required. I will, in due course, make known the report's findings and...

Written Answers — Drug Trafficking: Drug Trafficking (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre, Narcotics (MAOC-N) was established pursuant to an international agreement concluded on 30 September 2007 between Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France and the United Kingdom. The impetus for this regional initiative was a concern that the analysis of dug imports, in particular cocaine imports from South America into Western...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: In response to this question, I will firstly explain the direct provision system, how it came about, why it remains a necessary feature of the State's asylum and immigration system. The accommodation of asylum seekers through the direct provision system is the responsibility of the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department. Direct Provision means that the State, through RIA,...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: Frontex http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language(European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union) is the European Union agency for external border security. It is responsible for coordinating the activities of the national border guards in ensuring the security of the EU's borders with non-member states....

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I understand that the individual concerned has commenced proceedings in the High Court in relation to this matter and in the circumstances it would be inappropriate for me as Minister for Justice and Equality to comment on a matter before the Courts. Furthermore, the Courts are, subject to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. Accordingly, I...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I can advise the Deputy that all cells with flushable toilets have a modesty screen. A programme to fit improved modesty screens in these cells to provide further privacy from other occupants is currently under way. Such screens have been fitted in Castlerea Prison, Cloverhill Prison and all doubled-up cells in Wheatfield. This programme will continue to be rolled out where necessary and...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: There has been a consistent increase in the total prisoner population in Ireland over recent years, with dramatic increases in the number of sentenced prisoners, those being committed on remand and a trend towards longer sentences. As of 20 October, 2011, there were 4,275 prisoners in custody and 755 on temporary release. The number on temporary release equates to 15% of the total...

Written Answers — International Time Zones: International Time Zones (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Question Nos. 10 and 16 of 23 June, 2011 below. The position remains unchanged. 10. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he had any discussions with either his British counterpart or his European colleagues regarding the possibility of changing our time zone to European Time; his views on the benefits or disadvantages to Ireland if such...

Written Answers — Joint Policing Committees: Joint Policing Committees (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: The functions and powers of Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) are set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for a Committee in each local authority area. The Act provides that JPCs operate under guidelines issued by the Minister for Justice and Equality after consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The current guidelines were issued...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Sex Offenders Act 2001 contains a comprehensive series of provisions aimed at protecting children and other persons. Part 2 of the Act makes persons convicted of a range of sexual offences subject to notification requirements. The provisions of the Act also extend to any offenders convicted abroad of the same range of sexual offences who enter the State. I am informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Budget of An Garda Síochána is under constant review and Garda Management closely monitors the allocation of resources, including transfers and retirements, in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided...

Written Answers — Fuel Smuggling: Fuel Smuggling (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: The collection of Mineral Oil Tax and tackling the illicit trade in fuel products are primarily matters for the Revenue Commissioners. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are very aware of the threat to the Exchequer posed by the laundering of markers from mineral oil and the onward sale and supply of the laundered product as auto diesel. In response, the Revenue...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: There are currently over 2,000 full-time-equivalent civilian support staff in the Garda Síochána. These staff provide vital support services in a wide range of areas, such as human resources, training & development, IT and telecommunications, finance and procurement, internal audit, research and analysis, accommodation and fleet management, scene-of-crime support and medical services. In...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 441 together. 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 An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently...

Written Answers — Constitutional Issues: Constitutional Issues (25 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: It is outside the scope of my function to offer an interpretation of the kind sought by the Deputy.